Iron Germany

Warsaw, the headquarters of the Northwest Front of the Russian Army.

"General, General Samsonov called. They have arrived at Tannenburg. However, the German army has deployed heavy troops in Tannenburg. But General Samsonov claims that Tannenburg can be taken within two days." Fort, open the way to Konigsberg." An officer reported to General Ivan Jilinsky.

"Well, it has advanced dozens of kilometers in two days. The combat effectiveness of the Second Army is still relatively strong." Admiral Ivan Jilinsky nodded, his face full of approval.

"Tell Samsonov that Tannenburg is an important strategic point, and it must be taken there to open the road to Königsberg. As long as Tannenburg is taken, Konigsberg can be defeated in one battle There." General Ivan Jilinsky seemed very confident of this.

"Yes, General." The officer immediately went to send a telegram.

"With the capture of Tannenburg, the East Prussian campaign can come to an end, and there will be no problem in capturing Königsberg. If the entire East Prussia can be occupied, then Germany's threat to the Empire can be completely eliminated. The next step is to launch an attack on Berlin and completely defeat Germany!" General Ivan Jilinsky stood in front of the map and remained silent for a long time. He thought a lot and thought of Russia winning this battle. A standing victory. It's just that it's all like a daydream.

On August 19, after the Russian Second Army advanced to Tannenburg, General Samsonov issued an order to stop the offensive.

"Let all the divisions start to rest and attack Tannenburg early tomorrow morning. Before sunset, I want to see the double-headed eagle flag planted in Tannenburg!" Admiral Samsonov ordered.

"Don't worry, Your Excellency Commander. The Germans have lost the courage to fight on, and we kicked the shit out of them along the way. We only need to launch one attack, and we can break through their defenses and take Tannenberg." A The major general said.

"Haha, that's right. I didn't expect the Germans to be so weak. I really don't know why the French are so worried about the Germans attacking them." A lieutenant general couldn't believe it.

The other Russian generals also laughed. They have no doubts about winning the next battle. Even Admiral Samsonov faintly felt that something was wrong. After all, the German Army is known as the best in the world, and it cannot be so weak. However, he was relieved when he thought that the main force of the German Army had gathered on the Western Front and fought with the French. In his view, the German side must have used the worst troops to intercept them, which is why this result was caused.

Early the next morning, the Russian Second Army launched an attack on Tannenburg.

In order to take Tannanburg in one go, Admiral Samsonov dispatched four infantry divisions with more than 60,000 people at one time. In addition, more than 400 cannons were assembled to provide fire cover for them. Such a firepower configuration is already very luxurious for the Russian army.

"Fire and blow up all those Germans!" Admiral Samsonov gave an order.

More than 400 Russian cannons began shelling. However, the Russian army has always been short of cannons. Most of the more than 400 cannons are field guns with a caliber of 76.2 mm. Cannons with a caliber of more than 100 mm are pitifully few.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Russian cannons fired one after another, orange flames gleamed at the muzzles, and the shells roared towards the German positions at Tannenberg.

Shells exploded on the ground, and clusters of flames rose. Sand and gravel splashed on the battlefield, and gunpowder smoke filled the air. When the gunpowder smoke dispersed, craters of various sizes were left on the position.

However, because the cannons of the Russian army were less powerful, they could not cause too much damage in the face of the solid defensive positions of the German army, and the losses caused to the German army were naturally pitiful.

"General, is our artillery going to fight back?" A division commander asked Lieutenant General Francois.

"The Russian shelling is too weak, and it doesn't pose any threat to us at all, so ignore them." Lieutenant General Francois said.

"Yes, General." The division commander nodded.

Because of the limited number of shells carried, the Russian army's shelling lasted only ten minutes before it ended.

Admiral Samsonov is still very satisfied with this shelling. In his opinion, the German troops on the ground must have suffered heavy losses.

"Attack! Try to take Tannenburg before sunset." Admiral Samsonov ordered.

"Yes, General." The division commanders in charge of the attack all answered confidently.

Perhaps it was because the German army's lure to the enemy was so realistic that these Russian generals all thought that the German army's combat effectiveness was really bad. They are also full of confidence in the next attack, thinking that they can break through the German defense line in one fell swoop.

However, they soon realized that they were dead wrong. The German army was not as weak as they expected, and everything was a trap.

"attack!"

The order to attack reached the various units of the Russian army. Numerous Russian soldiers rushed out of their positions with bayonet-mounted rifles or bare-handed, and launched a fierce attack on the German positions.

"Ulla! Ulla!"

Tens of thousands of Russian troops shouted loudly, forming an indomitable momentum. I have to admit that the Russians are still very brave in war. Their 'Ula Charge' is even more imposing. Ordinary people would be stupefied when encountering such an attack, let alone pick up weapons and continue fighting.

It is a pity that they are facing the German army. The soldiers of the 8th Army may not be the most elite of the German Army. But after years of training, it has been reborn. The Russian attack certainly made them a little nervous. However, it didn't have much impact.

"It's hard to imagine that the Russians' equipment is so bad. Many of them don't even have guns. How are they going to fight us, with their fists?" Lieutenant General Mackensen, the commander of the 20th Army, put down the gun in his hand. Binoculars, shook his head and sighed.

"The poor equipment of the Russian Army has long been known all over the world. You are not unaware of this. But don't forget, your 20th Army was defeated by such an army." Francois Zhong Will said with a smile.

Suddenly, Lieutenant General Mackensen became very depressed. In the past, his troops had to implement the strategy of luring the enemy to go deep, and deliberately fought many defeats. And this, of course, was regarded as a shame by him. However, as long as the final victory can be achieved, even these sacrifices are completely worthwhile.