Ordered to advance "with the greatest energy," Lt. Gen. Friedrich von Scholtz of XX Corps hesitated to commit his whole force. On both his right and left flanks stood formations whose commanders had already ignored numerous direct orders from Eighth Army headquarters. If Scholtz now followed this directive, would he be sending his troops unsupported into a trap? Hedging, the German corps commander decided to attack with only part of his force.

Second Army command had directed that the huge quantities of beer captured in the town of Neidenburg just behind the Russian 2nd Division's lines be destroyed before the army pulled back to the south. News of this order caused 2nd Division - already exhausted and short of ammunition following the previous day's fighting-to break as soon as the Germans attacked. Whether the troops were more disheartened by the pending withdrawal or the loss of the beer is not clear.