However, Hermann von François, the commander of the First Corps of the German Eighth Army, was convinced his better-trained and equipped forces could halt, and perhaps defeat, Rennenkampf's Russian forces.
Hermann von François, comandantul Corpului I al Armatei a VIII-a germane, era însă convins că forțele sale mai bine echipate și mai bine pregătite pot opri sau chiar învinge forțele rusești ale lui Rennenkampf.