"Boom!"
After defeating the Russian Cossack cavalry, the German 8th Panzer Division did not cease their pursuit but pressed on, closing in on the Russian positions.
"Oh God! The black demons are coming—let's run!"
Terrified by the sight of the German tanks, countless Russian soldiers were thrown into panic, their courage utterly shattered. They began to retreat, unable to continue fighting.
Even the Russian commanders were filled with despair. They knew that this time, they were truly finished. Despite their final desperate efforts and the heavy losses they had suffered, the outcome remained unchanged.
Fortunately for them, the German 8th Panzer Division did not continue the chase indefinitely. After driving the Russian troops back for nearly five kilometers, they withdrew. It wasn't because they didn't want to pursue further, but the intense battle had caused mechanical problems with many of the tanks, requiring parts to be replaced to avoid further complications.
The performance of the tanks was still far from ideal, especially in terms of reliability, which remained a critical issue. If the Germans hoped to execute a true blitzkrieg in the future, they would first need to improve the tanks' performance, ensuring they could advance hundreds of kilometers without breaking down. Without this, a blitzkrieg was merely wishful thinking.
The cessation of the German pursuit gave the retreating Russian soldiers a much-needed sigh of relief. Many of them felt as though they had narrowly escaped death.
"General, what should we do now? In today's battle, our forces have suffered catastrophic losses. The cavalry is reduced to just over a thousand men, and the artillery has been nearly wiped out. We no longer have the strength to mount another attack like this," one Russian commander said with a face full of despair.
The other Russian officers looked equally grim, their expressions filled with hopelessness. Today's battle had shattered whatever confidence they had left.
The overwhelming firepower of the German forces, especially the final appearance of their armored units, had delivered a fatal blow. Initially, when they had heard of the Second Army's defeat, they had looked down on them, thinking them weak. But now, they realized it wasn't that the Second Army was weak—it was that the Germans were too strong. Even if it had been them, they would have fared no better.
"General, since we can no longer ensure the escape of our main forces, we should consider breaking out in small groups, just as the Second Army did in the end. Whoever can escape, let them escape," one officer suggested.
"Yes, General. We have no other choice," the others echoed.
"Gentlemen, do not forget the terrain here. This is the Masurian Lake marshlands. All the accessible roads are under German control, and what's left are impassable swamps. If we scatter and attempt to break through, we will have to cross those swamps. At that point, I fear few of us will make it out alive," a Russian general poured cold water on the idea.
The officers suggesting a breakout were mostly hoping to gather their elite units and make a desperate dash for freedom, leaving the ordinary soldiers behind. But crossing the marshes was a different matter. Those bottomless swamps wouldn't care whether they were generals or common soldiers—they would swallow them just the same.
Immediately, the faces of the Russian officers grew even darker. If even a scattered breakout could lead to their deaths, none of them were willing to take that risk.
All eyes turned to General Rennenkampf.
Sensing the desperate will to survive from his subordinates, General Rennenkampf felt the immense pressure upon him. These officers, along with the over 200,000 Russian soldiers under his command, did not want to die.
"Everyone, return to your posts for now. I will consider our options," General Rennenkampf said.
"Yes, General."
Some officers appeared as if they had more to say, but in the end, they kept silent. The power to decide had been left in General Rennenkampf's hands.
Once everyone had left, Rennenkampf sank into deep thought. They were truly at the brink, trapped in a situation with a slim chance of survival. If no miracle occurred, they were doomed. Of course, Rennenkampf had never been one to believe in miracles.
At sixty-one years old, General Rennenkampf was still upright and meticulous, with neatly groomed, upturned mustaches. He was well-regarded in the military for his bold strategies and decisive actions during the Russo-Japanese War and the suppression of the 1905 Revolution. However, a shadow loomed over him—he was of German descent, and many harbored doubts about his loyalty.
"Well, since you never truly trusted me, I see no reason to continue serving the Tsar," Rennenkampf finally made up his mind after long contemplation.
As a German by descent, he had endured much unfair treatment in Russia, and now his very life was in danger. It was this that ultimately pushed him to betray the Russian Empire.
"Bring me a messenger. Deliver my letter to the Germans in secret," General Rennenkampf summoned his trusted aide and solemnly handed him the letter he had personally written.
The aide knew what this meant. His face serious, he nodded in acknowledgment. This aide was an orphan whom General Rennenkampf had personally raised, and his loyalty to the general was unwavering. He had long resented the unjust treatment Rennenkampf received in Russia.
The aide, carrying the secret letter, made his way toward the German lines.
After some effort, he was brought before General François.
"General, here is a letter from General Rennenkampf," the aide handed over the letter to General François.
Since Rennenkampf was of German descent and fluent in the language, the letter was written in German.
Though slightly surprised, General François opened the letter and began reading. As he finished, he stood in shock. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected that a high-ranking Russian general like Rennenkampf would voluntarily offer to surrender to Germany. It was beyond his imagination.
"Is General Rennenkampf truly willing to surrender?" François asked, still taken aback.
"Yes, General. The Russian First Army is now cornered with no way out. Surrender is their only option. Moreover, General Rennenkampf has long faced discrimination in Russia, with the Tsar and others constantly doubting his loyalty. That is why he has decided to surrender to Germany," the aide explained.