"General, the order for retreat has been issued by the commander. We are to withdraw under cover of night this evening," reported a staff officer to General Ruski, commander of the 3rd Army of the Russian forces.
"Very well, instruct the troops to prepare. In two hours, the entire army will retreat," General Ruski nodded grimly.
The 3rd Army had suffered immense losses in this battle, with over a hundred thousand men lost while attacking the Austro-Hungarian defenses. When the Germans launched their assault on Lviv, General Ivanov ordered the withdrawal of the 3rd Caucasian Army from the 3rd Army's ranks to bolster Lviv, leaving the 3rd Army with barely over a hundred thousand troops.
"How could those cowardly Austrians have become so formidable? It is utterly inconceivable!" General Ruski pondered in confusion. How could the Austro-Hungarian forces, which had previously been easily vanquished, now withstand their fierce attacks without yielding?
Yet, despite his reluctance to believe it, the truth was undeniable: the Russian army had failed in this offensive. The fall of Lviv to the Germans posed a grave threat, necessitating retreat; otherwise, the remaining forces could face total annihilation.
Two hours later, the remnants of the 3rd Army, numbering over a hundred thousand, withdrew from the battlefield, fleeing eastward.
Simultaneously, the 8th and 11th Armies of the Russians were executing similar maneuvers. Having suffered significant losses, they immediately organized their withdrawal upon receiving General Ivanov's orders, without any delay.
In one night, hundreds of thousands of Russian troops vanished from the battlefield, a fact unknown to the Austro-Hungarian forces confronting them.
It was only during a conversation with Marshal Hindenburg that Qin Tian mentioned this development.
"Your Excellency, the 8th Army has completed its designated operational tasks. However, to guard against a Russian retreat, the main forces will continue their advance southward tomorrow morning to seize more strategic urban centers and block the Russians' escape routes. Nevertheless, with limited manpower, how effectively we can contain the Russians remains uncertain," Qin Tian stated.
"Your Highness, the fact that the 8th Army could eliminate an entire Russian army corps in such a short time, while also capturing a critical logistical base, is truly remarkable. No Austro-Hungarian corps could have achieved this feat. We have already inflicted significant losses on the Russian southwestern front, marking a noteworthy victory. Moving forward, no matter how many more Russians we dispatch, we have already triumphed. Should we manage to eliminate more, that would be even more advantageous," Marshal Hindenburg replied with a smile.
Indeed, for the Austro-Hungarian forces, this battle represented a rare and significant victory. Even if it were to conclude here, Marshal Hindenburg would be content. However, Qin Tian desired more than mere victory.
His aim was to annihilate the core of the Russian forces in a decisive blow, thus establishing absolute dominance on the Eastern Front. Therefore, he sought to neutralize the remaining forces of the Russian southwestern front. Compared to the hastily assembled troops within Russia, those seasoned by battle in the southwestern front were undeniably more formidable. Removing them from the equation would drastically diminish Russian strength, benefitting both Germany and Austro-Hungary.
"Your Excellency, we must endeavor to eliminate as many Russians as possible. Thus, once the Russians commence their retreat, I hope the Austro-Hungarian forces will pursue with full vigor. Only then can we maintain our advantage on the Eastern Front. Let us not forget, Russian mobilization is nearing completion. They could easily dispatch two million or more troops to the front. Therefore, we must seize this opportunity to decisively subdue the Russians!" Qin Tian asserted earnestly.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Marshal Hindenburg's eyes. The Austro-Hungarians had already incurred losses nearing two hundred thousand in this battle, a devastating toll for the empire. Continuing the pursuit would undoubtedly exact an even greater price. Yet, he could not deny the validity of Qin Tian's arguments. This was an unparalleled opportunity to severely weaken the Russians and solidify their advantage on the Eastern Front. Should they forfeit this moment, it was uncertain when another such opportunity might arise.
Though the army had sustained considerable losses, Austro-Hungarian mobilization was also nearing completion. Reinforcements could swiftly be dispatched, even forming new units that would elevate their military capability further. Thus, the chance to inflict serious damage on the Russians could not be overlooked.
"Very well, Your Highness. Tomorrow morning, I will send a contingent to initiate a probing attack. If the Russians offer no resistance, the Austro-Hungarian forces will launch an all-out assault in a bid to secure maximum gains in this engagement," Marshal Hindenburg concluded.
"Indeed!" Qin Tian nodded. An all-out pursuit of the retreating Russians would undoubtedly amplify their gains and inflict even greater losses upon the enemy, facilitating future operations.
Moreover, should this situation instigate any significant changes within Russia, it would represent monumental news for both Germany and Austro-Hungary.
On the morning of October 12, Marshal Hindenburg commanded the 2nd and 3rd Austro-Hungarian Armies to dispatch an infantry division each to assault the Russian positions.
As the soldiers of these divisions cautiously commenced their attack, bracing for a furious counter from the supposedly ferocious Russians, they were astounded to find the Russian positions eerily silent, devoid of any movement.
Upon mustering the courage to advance onto the Russian lines, they discovered the area entirely abandoned, littered with discarded weapons and munitions. Clearly, the Russians had retreated in a frantic hurry.
Upon receiving this news, Marshal Hindenburg was elated and immediately ordered the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Armies to launch an all-out pursuit of the fleeing Russians!