The Battles of History

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Battle of Gumbinnen
1914
20 August 1914
Germans vs Russians 

type of battle

war or event

World War I (Eastern Front)

at a glance

Russian victory

coordinates unknown

location

modern country

General Max von Prittwitz was encouraged at Stalluponen and days later met Russia’s invasion of eastern Prussia under General Pavel Rennenkampf near Gumbinnen (modern Guziew). The Russians were prepared this time for the poorly coordinated German attack. At first the German advance went well, but faltered once they came under Russian artillery fire, and the Russians were able to turn their flanks and force them to retreat in disorder to the Insterburg-Angerburg lines, leaving 6,000 prisoners in Russian hand. <br/>Prittwitz was replaced as commander by Paul von Hindenberg, who soon won at Tannenberg.


Germans  Russians 
Commander Commander
Max von Prittwitz  Pavel Rennenkampf 
Forces Forces
148,800 men 192,000 men
CasualtiesCasualties
8,800 killed or wounded, 6,000 prisoners 16,500 killed or wounded