On September 11th, the Russian 2nd Guards Army arrived at Rustruf. Concurrently, the German 8th Corps had already positioned itself for the impending assault. The 11th Army appeared to the west of Rustruf, while the 8th Armored Division readied itself directly opposite the Russian 2nd Guards Army.
Upon their arrival at Rustruf, the Russian forces sensed something amiss. This unsettling development was immediately reported to General Klapovich, the commander of the 2nd Guards Army.
"General, we've encountered a significant number of Germans at Rustruf, blocking our advance," a frightened officer reported, the terror evident on his face. They had encountered no German forces during their journey, and now the enemy stood before them, signaling imminent danger.
"Damn it! Are the Germans making us their primary target?" Klapovich thought instantly. It was clear now why the Germans had remained silent; they were lying in wait for the Russians. Klapovich was well aware that the Germans were formidable foes, prompting his cautious approach upon entering Polish territory. Yet here they were, caught unprepared by the blundering order of Ivan Zhilinski to march towards Warsaw.
Klapovich had no doubt that the Germans were fully prepared for battle, lying in wait for the Russians to walk into their trap.
"General, what are our options? Should we retreat immediately?" one officer suggested. The intelligence they had gathered painted the Germans as fearsome adversaries. While the 2nd Guards Army boasted over 200,000 elite troops, the prospect of facing the Germans head-on was daunting.
"Retreat? How could we even consider such a thing? We are the most elite force of the Russian Empire! If we withdraw now, His Majesty the Tsar would never forgive us. Furthermore, Zhilinski is surely awaiting such an opportunity," another officer countered.
Klapovich nodded, acknowledging that retreat was not an option. Zhilinski would relish placing the blame squarely upon their heads. A withdrawal would only hand him the ammunition he needed to castigate them for the fall of Warsaw and all of Poland, ultimately leading to their downfall. This was a scenario Klapovich would never allow.
"General, it appears that even if we wished to retreat, we cannot. A German force has appeared to our east," a colonel reported to Klapovich.
"Gasp!" The room filled with shocked gasps from the Russian commanders, realizing the implications of such tactics—the Germans aimed to encircle and annihilate the entire 2nd Guards Army! With over 200,000 troops, surely the Germans could not easily eradicate them, especially with the 9th Army nearby.
"Those arrogant Germans! Do they truly believe they can consume us while fending off the 9th Army's advance? Do they not fear being attacked from both sides?" one Russian general exclaimed.
"The Germans may well have calculated that. Let us not forget how the Northwestern Front failed in East Prussia, encircled while battling the 2nd Army," another added.
"Hmph! This is a different scenario. Our 2nd Guards Army is composed of elite troops. Moreover, we are not far from the 9th Army. If they come to our aid, they could arrive in just two days," declared another commander.
As the Russian generals erupted in heated debate, Klapovich's countenance darkened ominously.
"Silence, everyone! Order the troops to fortify their positions, strengthen defenses, and prepare for a fierce struggle with the Germans. Additionally, send a telegram to the 9th Army, informing General Letzsky that we may have fallen into a German trap. We are on the brink of a German assault; he must come to our aid with all haste. If we are consumed, the 9th Army will surely fall next," Klapovich instructed.
To ensure the 9th Army could not afford to remain inactive, Klapovich emphasized the peril they all faced should the 2nd Guards Army be lost.
Although Klapovich had previously joined Letzsky in targeting Zhilinski, he could not guarantee that Letzsky would not choose to turn a blind eye now.
"Yes, General," the staff officer promptly set off to dispatch the message.
Under the looming threat of the Germans, the entire Russian 2nd Guards Army sprang into action. Numerous soldiers, urged on by their officers, began to dig trenches and construct defensive positions. With the surrounding terrain largely open plains, their only recourse was to excavate trenches for protection, praying to God for the strength to withstand the German assault.
Upon learning of the 2nd Guards Army's plight, the Russian 9th Army promptly halted its movements. General Letzsky even dispatched units to scout the vicinity, ensuring they did not stumble into a German trap themselves.
Fortunately, no German forces were found nearby, allowing Letzsky to breathe a sigh of relief. However, he knew that if the 9th Army attempted to rescue the 2nd Guards, they would undoubtedly face German resistance. There was no doubt that the Germans had prepared for such an eventuality.
Yet, Letzsky recognized that he could not ignore the 2nd Guards' predicament. As Klapovich had pointed out, should the 2nd Guards Army fall, they would be next.
Letzsky had no confidence that the 9th Army could defeat the Germans alone.