Battle of Tannenberg — Germany Destroys Russian Second Army

German generals Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff encircled and destroyed General Samsonov's Russian Second Army in East Prussia, capturing over 92,000 prisoners and inflicting 78,000 casualties. The Russian First Army was then defeated at the Masurian Lakes. General Samsonov shot himself after the catastrophe. The battles established Hindenburg and Ludendorff as Germany's greatest military heroes and secured East Prussia for the duration of the war.