TANNENBERG, BATTLE OF, a great battle which takes its name from a vil lage in East Prussia, in the Mazurian Lakes region, was one of the first im portant general engagements between German and Russian forces in the World War. In the early weeks the Russians, under Rennenkampf, had invaded East Prussia and defeated the German re taining forces, under von Francois, who were forced back on Konigsberg. The German General Staff, alarmed by this serious situation, immediately made he roic efforts to retrieve their disaster and heavy reinforcements were sent to East Prussia under the command of General von Hindenburg, already retired, but recognized as one of the best informed German officers regarding the topogra phy of the difficult lake region in East Prussia. In all he had about 150,000 men, with which to drive back the much superior forces of the Russians, but in his victory, he decided to advance to Allenstein, through a country of small lakes, bogs and marshes. The nature of the country made it impossible for any large army to march in a compact mass, and Samsonov was obliged to divide his army into two main columns.
On Aug. 26 he encountered a strong German force. This was von Hinden burg's newly organized army, who had taken a position across the railroad from Allenstein to Soldau. With his intimate knowledge of the country, Hindenburg had arranged his position in such a way that he had a large area of lakes and swamp, utterly impassable, imme diately in front of him. Thus only his
flanks were open to attack, and he could re-enforce either wing without danger from attack against his front. The Rus sians attacked, and until the last day of the month it seemed that they were to win another victory here. Then Hinden burg counter-attacked with such skill that he deceived Samsonov regarding his intentions, and caught the right flank of the Russians unexpectedly, at the same time getting possession of the only road by which they could have retreated. The Russians were driven deeper and deeper into the bogs and marshes. They found their guns sinking into the soft mire, Whole regiments were thrown into the lakes and drowned, and panic took pos session of the rest. On Aug. 31 Sam sonov himself was killed, and what re mained of his army then was nothing more than a panic stricken mob. The Germans took 50,000 prisoners and hun dreds of guns and large quantities of mu nitions and other supplies.
It was this striking victory which sent the name of Hindenburg sweeping over Germany as that of a great hero who had saved the country from threat ening humiliation. He was at once made a field marshal and given full command of the Eastern Front.