1914_0827_02s: The Destruction of Samsonov's Left Flank - FWWC 02 East Prussia '14

Usdau, East Prussia, 27th August 1914: As the Russian 2nd Army advanced north across the frontier, the I Army Corps occupied Soldau and was assigned the task of covering the flank. As German units were repositioned to deal a massive coordinated blow to the Russian 2nd Army, von Francois' I.Armeekorps was tasked with breaking through the Russian covering force around the village of Usdau. Von Francois' attack was scheduled to be carried out on the 26th of August, however von Francois, no stranger to disagreeing with command, procrastinated and disobeyed orders. He chose not to carry out that attack since he felt it would be suicidal as his I.Armeekorps had not yet fully detrained from their long move across East Prussia. On the morning of the 27th, his corps was now fully formed up and ready for battle. As the Germans advanced to destroy Samsonov's left flank, the full strength and reinforced Russian I Army Corps was prepared to fight back, and had every intent of conducting offensive operations of its own towards Heinrichsdorf. [Size: medium] *See the notes document for information on scenario design decisions and historical notes.