Being the capitol of the Kingdom of Prussia, the loss of the city had serious political repercussions, even a threat to the city, prompted the immediate transfer of 2 Garman army corps east, and eventually the failure of the 1914 German offensive in the west. Russian forces must be very ably commnaded to be still holding on the city! The Tsar gives General Samsonov the Ordre d' Merit and makes him a knight! von ege