With the Russians falling back after the morning actions, the Germans marched after them in pursuit. German troops faced no resistance when they entered Allenstein, while the Russian XIII Corps retreated to the south. Otto von Below of I Reserve Corps received orders to pursue them after army command had already sent his divisions south without his approval. "Just like a wargame," he muttered to his staff.

Flushed with an easy victory, the Germans passed through Allenstein in parade formation and pressed southward after the Russian XIII Corps. The corps rear guard turned and fought with suicidal abandon, resisting until its ammunition was exhausted and then charging the Germans with bayonets. The sacrifice bought time for their divisions to rally, but time was running out for Second Army.