This action took place on the Eastern Front, as part of the Battle of Gumbinnen in August 1914. Five Russian infantry regiments met two German reserve infantry divisions on the southern-most flank of the battle. The fighting took place in and around the East Prussian town of Gawaiten, which is now called Gavrilovo in modern-day Russia, about 25 km south of Gumbinnen (Gusev).