My War Memories, 1914-1918
break-through, an encircling movement, firm resolution to win and intelligent limitation of aims. Despite our inferiority on the Eastern Front, we had succeeded in assembling on the battlefield a force nearly as strong as that of the foe. I thought of General Count von Schlieffen and thanked him for his teaching.
In the Protestant Church at Allenstein General von Hinden-burg and I rendered thanks to Almighty God for this victory.
I had not a moment to spare for relaxation. I had to work out the re-grouping of the Army for further operations. It was an uncommonly difficult task simultaneously to finish one battle and make plans for the next. Innumerable other matters had to be attended to between whiles. One urgent matter was the removal of the prisoners. Having regard to the uncertainty of the situation their number was a heavy burden in itself.
I was decorated with the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, of which I was exceedingly proud. Even now, when I think of Liege and Tannenberg, my heart swells with pardonable satisfaction. The value of the Iron Cross, 2nd Class, dwindled in the course of the war. That is quite natural, although regrettable, But the Order should be worn with pride by anyone who has honourably won it.
IV
On the Western Front the victorious progress of the German arms was still unchecked. Accordingly, General Headquarters considered that they could reinforce the 8th Army with three Army Corps from the West. The telegram announcing the proposed reinforcements arrived just at the commencement of the battle of Tannenberg. Later, I was asked whether one Army Corps could be retained in the West, and as I had not asked for reinforcements, I assented. So only two Army Corps arrived, the Guard Reserve Corps, the nth Corps and the 8th Cavalry Division.
The decision to weaken the forces on the Western Front was premature, but of course, we in the East could not know that, for the reports from the West were favourable. But it was par-
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