CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF ON THE EASTERN FRONT
22nd August, 1914, to 2&th Augtist, 1916. TANNENBERG
(MAPS I, AND II.)
I
n^HE letters from General von Moltke and General von 1 Stein summoning me to General Headquarters at Coblenz, and informing me that I had been appointed Chief of Staff of the 8th Army in East Prussia, were handed to me by Captain von Rochow at nine in the morning of the 22nd August, at the Headquarters of the 2nd Army, half-way between Wavre and Namur. General von Moltke's letter ran:
" You have before you a new and difficult task, perhaps even more difficult than that of storming Liege. . . , I know no other man in whom I have such absolute trust. You may yet be able to save the situation in the East. You must not be angry with me for calling you away from a post in which you are, perhaps, on the threshold of a decisive action, which, please God, will be conclusive. This is yet another sacrifice you are called upon to make for the Fatherland. The Kaiser, too, has confidence in you. Of course, you will not be made responsible for what has already happened, but with your energy you can prevent the worst from happening. So answer this new call, which is the greatest compliment that can be paid any soldier I know that you will not belie the bust reposed in you/'
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