Chapter 205 Counterattack
After receiving the telegram from General Ivan Jilinsky, the commander of the Russian 2nd Army Headquarters, General Samsonov, his face suddenly became a little ugly.
"Damn! Let the 2nd Army act as a bait to create opportunities for the 1st Army. Isn't that asking our 2nd Army to take chestnuts from the 1st Army's fire?" Admiral Samsonov roared angrily.
However, he certainly knew that this was the best way. With the 2nd Army already blocked at Tannenburg, there is no way for the 1st Army to make the main attack and pin its hopes of defeating the German army on the 1st Army.
The generals of the Russian 2nd Army were also a little bit aggrieved. However, they did not dare to refuse to carry out the orders of Admiral Ivan Jilinsky. Otherwise, once the battle is unfavorable, I am afraid that all of them will bear the responsibility for the failure. The current tsar has no tolerance for defeated generals.
"General, what should we do now? Do we want to carry out the order?" a general asked.
"Nonsense, is there any other way besides carrying out the order? However, that fellow Leiningkamp, don't be too happy this time. It's just that they are lucky. Even if they take down Konis first Fortress, captured the German crown prince, but our credit is indelible. At that time, they must share half of the spoils they got with us. Otherwise, I will not let it go." Enter Samsonov Said bitterly. In this battle, he really felt a little aggrieved, but what could he do? Who made him unlucky, and was regarded by the German army as a priority target for elimination!
At this moment, the Russian 1st Army is marching towards Königsberg. However, as soon as they entered the Masurian Lake area, their marching speed slowed down. There are many swamps here, and the roads are difficult. The large troops of the Russian army march very slowly, often stopping and going. At the same time, they still encountered the blocking of the German army. Although they were blocked by small troops, the firepower was very fierce, causing considerable losses to the Russian 1st Army. If it weren't for the strong strength of the Russian 1st Army, I'm afraid it would almost be unable to hold on.
When Admiral Leiningkamp received the telegram from Huasha, he immediately burst out laughing.
"Haha, God bless. The damned Germans are going to trouble that guy Samsonov. I hope he can hold on. However, this also shows that what is blocking us is just a It's just a small German army. The main force of the Germans has already assembled in Tannenburg. Order the whole army to speed up. When encountering the resistance of the Germans, immediately send out cavalry to disperse them, and use the fastest time to walk out of Masurian Lake , attack Königsberg!" Leiningkamp excitedly gave the order to attack. In his view, there is no doubt that the 1st Army won the final victory when the main force of the German army was held back by the 2nd Army.
The Russian 1st Army accelerated its march, but even so, it was still as slow as a snail. The 17th Army of the German Army, taking advantage of its familiar terrain and firepower, launched layers of blocking and harassment tactics against the Russian 1st Army, which seriously delayed their marching speed. This also created opportunities for the main force of the German 8th Army to encircle and wipe out the Russian 2nd Army, and bought enough time.
Tannenberg, headquarters of the German 11th Army. Lieutenant General Francois and others are studying the battle situation.
"General, the Russian army has continued to attack." A staff officer reported.
"What? The Russians didn't stop attacking, let alone retreat, but continued to attack? Are their brains flooded?" Lieutenant General Mackensen looked surprised. The behavior of the Russians is really abnormal.
"Is it possible that the Russians really came to die?" Lieutenant General François also frowned.
"Two generals, do the Russians want to hold back our main force through a fierce attack and create opportunities for their other troops! Don't forget that the Russian 1st Army is attacking from the east." Colonel Guderian, acting commander of the 8th Armored Division who participated in the meeting, said.
Lieutenant General Francois and Lieutenant General Mackensen's eyes suddenly brightened.
"Come here, send a telegram to the 17th Army and ask if there is anything unusual about the Russian 1st Army." Lieutenant General François ordered.
"Yes, General." The communications officer immediately went to contact the 11th Army.
"There will be news soon. If the Russians really have this wishful thinking, then they are wrong. The 17th Army is not so easy to be defeated by them. However, we can't delay any longer It's time, and we must launch a counterattack as soon as possible. If it is delayed for too long, the losses of the 17th Army will not be small. If you meet General Zeckert in the future, it will be hard to talk." Lieutenant General François said.
Lieutenant General Mackensen nodded. His 20th Army, which played the role of luring the enemy before, had already made him suffocate, wishing to launch a counterattack earlier.
As for Colonel Guderian, he was even more excited. This counterattack will be the first battle after the establishment of the 8th Armored Division. As the young colonel's acting teacher, I don't know how many people questioned him. He needs to use a hearty victory to fight back the doubts of these people.
The news from the 17th Army came soon. The Russian 1st Army did speed up its march. However, it was still firmly held back by the 17th Army.
"Gentlemen, it seems that, as Colonel Guderian said, the Russians want to drag us at Tannenburg to give their 1st Army an opportunity. In this case, we cannot let them do so. Order all The troops are preparing to launch a counterattack. As for the time for the counterattack, it will be the day after tomorrow, that is, the morning of the 21st. I think that by then the Russian 2nd Army's active force should be almost exhausted. When the time comes to launch a counterattack, it will definitely be possible in one fell swoop. Defeated them. Of course, the only question is how much we can achieve in the counterattack." Lieutenant General Francois said with a smile.
"Haha, we will definitely be able to wipe out the Russian 2nd Army this time. Then we will cooperate with the 17th Army to kill the Russian 1st Army." Lieutenant General Mackensen laughed.
The rest of the generals were all smiling, and everyone was gearing up, waiting for the time to counterattack, to finish off the Russian 2nd Army in one fell swoop, or to injure it badly and make it lose its combat effectiveness.
