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The German High Command decided to divert divisions from the west to the east. They were quickly transported by rail and they only took a week to travel from Belgium to East Prussia. Hindenburg and Ludendorff immediately began to reorganise the demoralised 8th army. The old general was able to restore the morale of the army. Ludendorff was a brilliant organiser and he was able to restore some order to the army, but this was very challenging as the roads were thronged with frightened Prussian refugees fleeing the advancing Russians.<ref> Stone, p. 89</ref>
The Germans knew that the two Russian armies could not be allowed to join up. If the two armies met they would outnumber the Germans by approximately three to one. Von Hindenburg decided to attack the Russian 2nd army under General Samsunov. This was deemed to be the most dangerous by the Germans, for if it was not stopped it could capture the capital of Prussia. The German High Command hoped that after the Russian 1st army was stopped that the German 8th army could go on to defeat the 2nd army.<ref> Stone, p. 117</ref>.
==The Battle==
