Battle of the First World War. After a short delay caused by defeat at Stalluponen, Rennenkampf's Russian First Army renewed it's attack. General Francois managed to persuade the German command to launch a counterattack, and his own attack, in the centre of the Russian line, drove the Russians back over five miles, but his success was exceptional. The battle was a draw, but the failure to inflict a defeat on the Russians caused a panic at the German headquarters which resulted in the replacement of General Prittwitz with the team of Hindenburg and Ludendorff.