Tannenberg
Early on the 28th, we went to Frogenau and took up station in the open at the eastern end of the village. General von Scholtz was not far off. A very ineffective field-telephone connected us with the ist A.C., but no communication at all was possible with the other forces.
Our first impressions were by no means favourable. Neiden-burg had certainly been taken, but the 413! Infantry Division had attacked Waplitz in a fog and been driven back. This division, which had suffered heavy casualties, was now holding positions west of Waplitz and anticipating a hostile counterattack with the greatest anxiety. I sent an officer there by car to give me a report on the condition of the division, and his account was not encouraging. The Landwehr near Miihlen were not making progress. If the enemy attacked the right wing of the 20th A.C. in great force, a grave crisis might result. At the best, the battle would be prolonged.
Finally, Rennenkampf might march. But the enemy made no attack on the 4ist Infantry Division and the Niemen Army did not march.
Captain Bartenwerffer, of the Staff of the lyth A.C., flew over the enemy lines, and brought good reports of the progress of his Corps in the enemy's rear.
During the afternoon the situation changed to our advantage. The 3rd Reserve Division, and later the 37th Infantry Division, gained ground west of Hohenstein; von der Goltz's Landwehr Division entered Hohenstein itself. The enemy front appeared to be wavering. General von Hindenburg wanted to drive on to Miihlen. We ran right into a temporary panic, created by Russian prisoners who were being taken to the rear in large numbers. This incident created an unfavourable impression, as the disorder spread far to the rear.
In the evening we went to Osterode. Owing to an unfortunate mobilization order the civil authorities had already left the town. This must have considerably increased the anxiety of the civil population.
We were not at all clear as to how things stood with the individual units; but there was no doubt that the battle was won.
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