| | The world's top hermann von francois websites (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-29) |
 | | His task was to defend the easternmost regions of East Prussia against a Russian attack directed at the key city of Königsberg. |
 | | Francois felt breaking off while engaged would be deadly, and so he ignored Prittwitz' order, responding with the famous reply "General von Francois will withdraw when he has defeated the Russians!" He counterattacked Rennenkampf's massive army, bringing on the Battle of Stalluponen, and won a surprising victory while infliciting 5,000 casualties and taking 3,000 prisoners. |
 | | Following that battle and a change of overall commanders, Francois' corps was transferred to the southwest, to confront the Russian Second Army advancing into southern East Prussia under the command of General Alexander Samsonov. |
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