Upon receiving the distress telegram from the Fourth Army, Ivanov's entire demeanor darkened.
It was a very clear matter, anyone with even a bit of military sense knew that if an isolated army realized something was wrong, they should immediately retreat.
The Fourth Army was not operating with a combat mission and was completely free to act on its own. After discovering a large enemy force, why didn't they immediately adjust their marching pace, maintain a safe distance from the enemy, and wait for reinforcements?
Even if they were slow to realize, the Fourth Army could have chosen to break through before the enemy encirclement was complete and rendezvous with the Russian Army behind them.
The Fourth Army had cavalry units; it was impossible for them not to have noticed the enemy's movements, as the mobilization of tens of thousands of troops simply couldn't be kept secret.
