An illustrated postcard of captured Russians, led by an officer, laying down their arms under the eyes of German lancers. A Russian victory, the Battle of Gumbinnen, fought on August 20, 1914, was the second encounter between the Russian invaders and the German defenders of East Prussia.
Die Gefangennahme von 8000 Russen bei Gumbinnen.The Capture of 8,000 Russians in Gumbinnen.Curt Schultz SteglitzReverse:Message dated January 20, 1917 and postmarked the same day.Karl Voegels, Berlin O. 27, Blumenstr. 75 (11)
"The German army, which was still facing Rennenkampf near Gumbinnen, saw its communications menaced by this advance of Samsanof. It beat a precipitate retreat, and von Prittwitz believed he had no choice but to retire behind the Vistula. The population was fleeing as far as Berlin.There was a great sensation in the headquarters of the German General Staff, which had staked everything on the western front, and which at that moment (August 20th-22nd) still had some painful fighting to do at Charleroi, in the Ardennes, and on the Lorraine frontier, so that it did not feel any too sure of victory."
Of three German army corps going into battle against the Russian First Army, General François was the first to arrive, and suffered heavy casualties against the Russian artillery. The second corps under von Mackensen had struggled through the night against refugees fleeing the Russian advance. Going into battle, his men were met with concentrated artillery followed by a Russian counterattack. The Germans broke and fell back. A third corps of reservists arrived only in time to suffer further casualties before breaking off.
The Great Events of the Great War in Seven Volumes by Charles F. Horne, Vol. II, 1914, p. 172, copyright © 1920 by The National Alumnia, publisher: The National Alumni, publication date: 1920
Battle of Gumbinnen, 1914, August, 1914-08-20, von Rennenkampf
