The discovery of General Ivan Zhylinski's lifeless body occurred that very evening. His aide, sent to inform him that dinner was ready, found the office door locked from the inside. When repeated knocks went unanswered, the aide retrieved a spare key and opened the door, only to find General Zhylinski slumped over his desk, his mouth stained with darkened blood.
The suicide of General Zhylinski sent shockwaves through the Russian forces in Warsaw. The successive annihilation of the 2nd Guards and 9th Armies had already instilled deep fear among the troops. Now, the self-inflicted death of their highest commander signified an utter inability to withstand the German onslaught in Warsaw. As a result, panic spread throughout the city, with some units even witnessing desertions.
"What are we to do now? Zhylinski has taken his own life, and all the pressure has fallen squarely on my shoulders," General Samsonov exclaimed, his anxiety akin to a restless insect on a hot skillet.
Previously, General Zhylinski had shielded them from the burdens of command. Now, with his absence, those burdens shifted entirely to Samsonov, placing immense pressure upon him.
"The Germans will soon attack. Engaging them in battle is clearly out of the question; how could we possibly withstand their might? But if we don't fight, what alternative do we have? We can't escape either," Samsonov lamented, pacing anxiously.
"Perhaps we should surrender, like that coward Leiningkamp. At least it might save our lives," a desperate thought flickered in Samsonov's mind.
"No! I am a soldier of the Russian Empire, a loyal general to His Majesty the Tsar. I cannot betray my country like that!" he quickly dismissed the idea.
Yet, the instinct for survival grew within him like rampant weeds.
Two days later, the German 8th Panzer Division and the 24th Infantry Division arrived in Warsaw, preparing to launch their assault. The sight of the ominous black tanks and heavy artillery served as a grim reminder to the Russian defenders within the city that the enemy was formidable, and failure could lead to their demise.
Samsonov felt the weight of reality bearing down on him. He understood that continuing the fight would lead to inevitable death, solidifying the conviction in his mind.
In a turn of events almost absurd, as the German forces prepared to attack, General Samsonov willingly led the remnants of the 2nd Army in surrender to the Germans. This shocking act left Generals Bessen and Guderian momentarily speechless, though they were soon filled with elation. The Russians' voluntary surrender meant they could avoid a costly assault, thereby preventing casualties.
While the Russian forces in Warsaw were few and poorly equipped, they could have inflicted significant losses in urban combat had they resolved to defend the city. The act of surrender was, without doubt, a fortuitous development.
Following consultation with their command, Generals Bessen and Guderian accepted General Samsonov's capitulation. They assured him that the lives and properties of the Russian officers would be safeguarded, though this protection likely did not extend to the ordinary soldiers. The Germans had captured many prisoners of war, whom QinTian intended to utilize for labor, necessary for solidifying Germany's hold over Polish territory.
The voluntary surrender of the Russian garrison in Warsaw marked a definitive conclusion to the Polish campaign. After a series of engagements, the German 8th Army had, at a minimal cost, obliterated the 2nd Guards and 9th Armies, achieving complete control over the Kingdom of Poland. The next step would be to execute the third phase of operations on the Eastern Front, collaborating with the Austro-Hungarian Army to decisively defeat the Russian Southwestern Front.
Should this lead to internal strife within Russia, it would be a most welcome outcome. Even if it did not succeed, the severely weakened Russian forces would likely pose no further threat to Germany for an extended period. The Eastern Front, at least temporarily, had been stabilized, granting Germany valuable time—especially crucial in light of their failure to secure victory in the Battle of the Marne.
"Your Highness, now that Warsaw is secured, our corps will require a period of rest before implementing the third phase of operations in conjunction with the Austro-Hungarian forces against the Southwestern Front," Major General Ludendorff stated.
QinTian nodded in agreement. Despite the relatively low casualties among the 8th Army during the recent battles, the wear and tear on weaponry and ammunition had been significant, and the troops were fatigued, necessitating a period of recuperation.
Additionally, coordinating joint operations with the Austro-Hungarian Army required careful communication. Any misalignment could lead to catastrophic errors, and the consequences of a failure on the Eastern Front would be dire.
"Let the troops rest for now. Once they have recuperated and we have established contact with the Austro-Hungarians, we will commence operations against the Southwestern Front, aiming to decisively defeat them before winter sets in, thus establishing our absolute dominance on the Eastern Front," QinTian declared.
"Yes, Your Highness," Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff replied, their confidence evident.
"I plan to return to Berlin tomorrow. I will report to His Majesty regarding the situation on the Eastern Front and urge the General Staff to expedite our joint operations with the Austro-Hungarian forces," QinTian stated.
There was, of course, another unspoken motive. He was determined to find a way to oust Moltke from his position as Chief of Staff.
The failure to achieve the anticipated results at the Marne clearly indicated that Moltke's modifications to the Schlieffen Plan were flawed. This presented an opportune moment to push for his dismissal. Since Moltke had become an adversary to QinTian, he would not let this opportunity slip away.