On 6 September, the I Corps advanced on Arys, and its 2nd Infantry Division captured Nikolaiken, while its 1st Infantry Division captured Johannisburg, and its 3rd Reserve Infantry Division captured Biała Piska on 7 September. The 1st Infantry division reached Arys on 9 September, and then Ranten. In support of I Corps, the German XVII Corps reached Kruglanken on 9 September. On 10 September, the 3rd Reserve Infantry Division was near Lyck. While the German I Corps attempted to turn the Russian left flank, the other 4 German corps to the north put pressure on the Russian III and IV Corps, as the Russians fought a defensive action. The Russian commander of the XXII Corps sent a message stating, "I cannot carry out my orders to march against the flank of the Hindenburg Army, as I was attacked at Lyck and beaten." Rennenkampf was forced to retreat to the east.