The German forces, within a single day, breached multiple defensive lines of the Russian 2nd Guards Army, inflicting significant damage. Concurrently, the German 8th Corps, 17th Army, compressed the Russian army's operational space from the east, exacerbating the dire situation of the 2nd Guards Army.
Although the Russian 2nd Guards Army continued to fight valiantly, their losses mounted, and their courage and confidence seemed to be crushed beneath the relentless treads of German tanks. It was evident that their complete defeat, if not annihilation, was merely a matter of time.
This predicament compelled General Klapovich, commander of the Russian 2nd Guards Army, to repeatedly send telegrams to General Letzski, commander of the 9th Army, pleading for reinforcements.
"General, this is the third telegram from General Klapovich requesting our aid. The ferocity of the German offensive is apparent; the 2nd Guards Army is on the brink of collapse. Their combat effectiveness surpasses ours, and if they are overwhelmed, our involvement may not alter the outcome. If we fail, we risk our own forces as well," one officer suggested.
"Indeed! General, perhaps we should consider a retreat," another officer echoed.
The commanders of the 9th Army were understandably unnerved by the might of the German assault, fearing that any attempt to rescue the 2nd Guards Army could lead to their own demise.
"The German offensive is undeniably formidable, or else they would not have cornered the 2nd Guards Army so effectively. However, if we abandon them, their destruction is assured. Moreover, the Tsar will hold us accountable. Let us not forget, we may still have an opportunity. The Germans must have committed most of their forces against the 2nd Guards Army; therefore, the troops available to impede us will be limited. If we can significantly weaken that contingent and then coordinate with the 2nd Guards Army at Rustrov, we might still defeat the Germans. At the very least, we could extract the core of the 2nd Guards Army. This would be a monumental achievement! Consider that. If you all refuse to claim this glory, I will not force you, but remember, if the 2nd Guards Army falls, we too will be swiftly consumed by the Germans," General Letzski urged.
"Whatever you decide, General, we shall follow your command!" the other officers voiced their agreement, eager to heed Letzski's orders.
Letzski nodded in satisfaction. "Then let us hasten our pace and proceed north! We must reach Rustrov before sunset tomorrow."
"Yes, General!" they responded in unison.
Subsequently, the Russian 9th Army accelerated their march, pushing themselves to their limits.
By that evening, they reached Shedelze, only to discover that the city was under German control. The Germans had established defensive positions on the outskirts, and since Shedelze was the only route north to Rustrov, the Russians had no choice but to seize the city from its occupiers. There was no alternative.
General Letzski did not immediately order an assault; the troops were utterly exhausted from their day's journey. To attack now would be akin to courting death, a mere offering of provisions to the Germans.
Instead, Letzski commanded his forces to fortify their defenses and rest well overnight, planning to launch an offensive at dawn.
Stationed in Shedelze was the German 20th Army of the 8th Corps, comprising three infantry divisions, totaling over fifty thousand men. While their numbers were merely a quarter of the Russian 9th Army's strength, they were more than capable of holding their ground. The 8th Corps was well-equipped with automatic weapons, providing a firepower advantage over the Russians. A rash attack by the Russians would likely result in their soldiers' corpses littering the German defenses.
"General, our reconnaissance units have spotted the Russians. They are resting in a small town ten kilometers from us," reported a brigadier general to General Mackensen.
"Such a wasted opportunity!" Mackensen sighed.
"If the 8th Armored Division were here, a coordinated surprise assault would be sufficient to shatter the Russian 9th Army, even leading to the annihilation of a significant portion of the enemy. After this victory, I will petition His Highness the Crown Prince to equip every division with armored units," Mackensen stated.
"General, ideally, each infantry division should have its own armored unit! This would greatly enhance our offensive capability," the brigadier general replied eagerly.
"Indeed, the more tanks each division possesses, the greater our assault potential will be," Mackensen concurred.
On the morning of September 12th, the Russian 9th Army initiated their assault on the German 20th Army's positions in Shedelze. In an effort to secure a swift victory, they committed their main forces to the offensive.
The 9th Army, like the 2nd Guards Army, consisted of ten infantry divisions and two cavalry divisions, totaling approximately two hundred thousand troops.
To ensure success, Letzski mobilized the entire army's artillery, unleashing over four hundred 76.2mm field guns upon the German defenses.
"Fire! Obliterate those Germans!" commanded the Russian artillery officer.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Hundreds of 76.2mm field guns roared to life, raining shells upon the German positions.
However, merely five minutes after the Russians commenced their bombardment, the German artillery began suppressing the Russian gun positions. Fifty-four 150mm heavy howitzers and one hundred eight 105mm light howitzers engaged in counter-battery fire.
Nevertheless, the sheer number of Russian artillery pieces ensured that many shells still rained down on the German defenses.
Fortunately, the German positions were robust, and the relatively weak firepower of the Russian 76.2mm field guns inflicted minimal damage.