Tannenberg
In the execution of this plan, the reinforcements from the West were detrained on the Allenstein-Elbing line, and the 8th Army was concentrated ready to advance between the Willen berg and Allenstein front.
Only small forces were left behind for the defence of the frontier near Soldau. They were to advance into Poland in the direction of Mlawa.
As soon as the troops had been deployed, we intended to attack Rennenkampf on a wide front between the river Pregel and Lake Mauer, while enveloping his left wing beyond Lotzen and further south. The task delegated to our outermost southern wing was to guard the Army from attack from Augustovo and Osowiec, where we expected hostile forces to detrain. The concentrated 8th Army was to fight in three groups, from the river Pregel to Lake Mauer, east of Lotzen and in the direction of Lyck.
At the beginning of September the following units were ready to advance:
The garrisons of the Vistula fortresses, near Soldau,
Von der Goltz's Landwehr Division, near Neidenburg,
3rd Res. Div. and ist A.C., near Willenberg, Ortelsburg, 1st Cavalry Brigade west of Johannisburg,
ijth A.C., Passenheim,
20th, nth A.C., and ist R.C. in and on both sides of Allenstein,
Guard R.C. coming up from Elbing towards the lower course of the river Passarge,
8th Cav. Div. advancing in the direction of Lotzen,
The ist Cav. Div., minus one Cavalry Brigade, was still occupying its positions facing the Niemen Army. It was also to advance via Lotzen,
The main Konigsberg Reserve holding the line of the Deime,
The main Posen Reserve and Count von Bredow's Landwehr Division were being brought up, but did not arrive in time for the battle.
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