THE EASTERN FRONT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15870, 9 April 1917, Page 7

THE EASTERN FRONT.

SERIOUS RUSSIAN LOSSES. THREE REGIMENTS CUT TO PIECES, BIG ENEMY SUCCESS ON THE STOKHOD RIVER. (By Cable—r Teas Association—Copyright) Admiralty per Wirelcea Preea. LONDON. April 6. A Russian official report states: — "After a heavy artillery preparation, including chemical shells, the Germans occupied a portion of our trenches eastward of Plaktanen. south of Riga, but wero driven out "Ten Russian aeroplanes bombed the railway buildings at Kuty, south-west of Svinauki. "French aeroplanes in the Dobrudja twice bombed a battery to the northward of Garvan. "Our seaplanes successfully bombed fortifications on the Bosphorus. "In tho fighting on the left bank of tho Stokhod river on April 3rd and 4th, which ended in our crossing to the ri<j:ht bank, the troops defending the bridgehead lost severely. Only a few soore men of two regiments reached the right bank. Both their commanders wero killed. A third regiment lost half its effectives. Two otner regiments survived the ordeal."

THE STOKHOD FIGHT, BIG ENEMY CLAIM. LONDON, April 6. A Vfireleas German official report states:— "During the capture of the bridgehead at Toboly, in the fighting on the Stokhod, we captured 130 officers, 9500 men, 15 guns, and 150 machine-guns and mine-throwers. \ "Our airmen blew up extensive munition depots in the .Vxtrdar Valley. GAZA FIGHT DESCRIBED. SPLENDID WORK BY ANZACS. AMAZING FIGHT BY ARMOURED CAES. ENEMY BEFRIENDED BY WEATHER. ("The Times.") LONDON, April 6. Mr W. T. Massey, the well-known war correspondent, States that near Gaza, on March 27th, a swift movement, characteristic or the .Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, surprised the enemy in afoggy dawn. The great Gaza plain was enveloped in fog, which prevented the development of the attack until 10 o'clock in the morning. This was deeply •unfortunate, because the capture of Gaea depended on speed, the Turkish reinforcements being within fifteen mUes. Another two hours of daylight would have meant 'the fall of the city. The battlefield was separated from the sea by two miles of Bandhills, in which the Turks were entrenched. They had a perfect labyrinth of deep trenches and redoubts on skilfully selected sites. The garrison consisted of seven Turkish regiments, with Austrian gunners. The country was intersected with nullahs and wide precipitous cracks. | The cavalry waded and crossed the Wadi Ghazzeh for enveloping movements. Its banks were 40ft high, and quito perpendicular. The Anzacs, Yeomanry, and horse batteries overcame this difficulty, by cutting the banks and building ramps All the movements during the fog were done by compass. Afterwards it was soon seen that enemy reinforcements and cavalry were coming from the base in the Judea hills. The artillery preparation seemed to lift up sections of the trenches. Then the infantry marched to tho attack, taking advantage of every scrap of cover, the Welsh Territorials engaging in handle-hand fighting in a bewildering maze of trenches. They conquered their tenacious opponents at evening. Meanwhile a portion of the Anzacs and Yeomanry were ordered to close in from the north-east to assist tho infantry. The Anzacs began taking trenches at sunset. The New Zealanders got to close quarters, and had desperate fighting until the close approach of the enemy's reinforcements necessitated the cavalry's withdrawal, as they were between two fires. Thp next afternoon the Turks made ,e tremendous effort to break our line. For two hours the fighting was magnificent. Otir shrapnel ranged perfectly and smashed the lines of the attackers, while our machine-guns caused heavy casualties. The Anzacs, Yeomanry, and infantry all did splendid work. Tho New Zealanders captured 200 men and a number of howitzers. The Turks, endeavouring to prevent their removal, entered a country house, and enfiladed the New Zealanders, who loaded the howitzers and demolished the house.

The New Zealand Brigade's casualties during the day were two Killed and 29 wounded. They took 225 prisoners. Another instance of dashing bravery was the amazing fight of eight armoured cars against 5000 infantry and artillery. The cars pushed forward over the rough trackless ground. The enemy tried every means to capture " them. They fought sometimes in lines and sometimes in column, and moved down the Turks at ranges of irom 25 to 300 vards. They ran the gauntlet for two hours with the loss of one man killed and four wounded, though they killed and wounded at least 850 Turks.

IN MACEDONIA, BRITISH AIRSHIPS ACTIVE. ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED. (Australian and 2C.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received April Bth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 7. A British Salonica official message states: — "Our naval and military aeroplanes several times bombed the aerodrome

and ammunition dumps at Hudoua, and caused damaging fires. "We repulsed the enemy's trench raids." IN MESOPOTAMIA. BRITISH AND RUSSIANS JUNCTION. The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, April 6 (6.5 p.m.). A Mesopo ta mi an official report St "The Russians and British established touch on Monday last to the lett or Diala river. , "Tho Turks are reported to bo retreating in the direction of Kim. ENEMY TRENCHES OCCUPIED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Beuter's Telegrams.) (Received April 9th, 1.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 7. A Russian communique states: "North of Brzejanv and west of Tomnomix we repulsed enemy attacks. South of Braojany we exploded and occupied enemy trenches.