"FIVE DAYS' FRUITLESS ATTACKS"

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2297, 3 November 1914, Page 5

"FIVE DAYS' FRUITLESS ATTACKS"

ASSAULT ON RUSSIAN FRONT ADVANCING LINE STRONGLY HELD , " " Petrograd, November 1. Offioial—"A German attempt on the East Prussian front to break through the centre of a fortified position hear Bakalarzevo (on the 'frontier, .west-south-west of Suwalki) failed, aftor'.five days' fruitless attacks. The Germans suffered tremendous losses, Large heaps of dead' are fronting our trenches. We are advancing in several districts on the East Prussian front. "The Russians beyond the Vistula are firmly occupying the position along the *Lenevies-Lodz-Ostrowieo line. "The situation in Galicia is unchanged." The Russians captured between Corbatka and Ilza' (15 miles south of Radom and 25 miles'vwest of the Vistula) and the Vistula in the four days ending October 28, 82 officers and 8000 men.belonging chiefly.to the Fifth Hungarian Corps; also 24 Maxim guns. The Austrians are. retreating between the Vistula and Radom, having separated from the Germans; the latter are retreating westward, but tho Sovent-h Austrian Cavalry Division is still with the Germans covering their retreat. *This name does not appear on the maps at our disposal.

RUSSIANS ADVANCING VICTORIOUSLY. (Rec. November 2, 8.40 p.m.) Petrograd, November 2, morning. Official.—The Russians on the East Prussian front have progressed in the - Vladislavoff district about fifty miles north _of Suwalki, and have advanced victoriously on the other side of the Vistula,, along the whole ■ front. They • occupied Petrikau, Opoczna, and Opatow, and on the road to Opatow routed the enemy's rearguard, taking four hundred prisoners, quick-firers, and a convoy of provisions. A Russian regiment near Lonachovo, on the San, reached the enemy's positions, and profiting by the panic, stormed the Austrian fortified position, taking five officers and five hundred men prisoners, and also some quickfirera.

Petrikau is eighty miles south-west of Warsaw and about 76. miles from the German frontier; Opoczna is about 30 miles ' east of Petrikau, and a little to the south; Opatow is 60 miles_ further to the south-east, about 20 miles west of Zawichost, at the junction of Hihe Vistula and the San.

STORY OF THE VISTULA BATTLES ' AND WELL-EXECUTED .RETREAT"- OF THE: \ GERMANS; ' The following message has been received by tho Prime Minister from the High Commissioner in-London:— . , ' _ London, October 31. Official. —Communication from the Russian headquarters relative to the operations between Warsaw and Skierniwice (50 miles to the south-west): — "The Russian river line of defence ran along the Niomen, Babr, Nartw, the Middle Vistula, and the San. The Germans had not previously tested the strength of the centre of this line. Russian reports so far issued have spoken only of a northern and southern front. The Germans advanced principally from the south-west. They reached a line south-east of Clone and Prusslcow, and were within six miles of Warsaw. German aeroplanes dropped bombs in Warsaw, killing 100 persons. Tho. brunt of the defence fell on two Russian corps, especially one containing Siberian troops, which had to oppose three German corps. "Splendid work was done at Prusslcow and Rakitima. The Germans, covered by a wood and gardens, delayed the Russian advance; they,placed machine guns on the roof of a church. The Siberians long refrained from returning, fire from the church. Their regiment lost a colonel and many officers, and. 275 men, but held good till reinforced. Several Russian corps arrived, and drove tho Germans back, the rearguard engagement lasting eighteen days, Another regiment distinguished itself, at Casimiers by a brilliant bayonet attack. They drove the enemy through a wood, inflicting heavy loss. The Germans, retired rapidly southwest. The country west and south of Lomicz and Skierniwice was recovered. The Germans seized provisions and some valuables, but the country was not devastated. The population are strongly for Russia, and are offering every service to the Russian soldiers. "Great enthusiasm prevails at Warsaw, in striking difference to the attitude before the war and the Grand Duke's appeal. The when retiring, demolished bridges, railways, and stores. _ Every sign was shown of a deliberate and well-executed retreat. Less prisoners were taken than in the case of the Austrians. The Russian artillery worked with great precision and effect, and the Russian infantry attacked, throughout. There is no sign of a further German aggressive movement on this side before winter, but there is always the possibility of an early oonflict to the southward, where tho Russians need to secure and complete their conquest of Galicia. The enemy must guard the. base of joint action between Germany and Austria."

: GERMAN MEW "WE 'ARE STILL DRAWING UP.' 2 , ' Amsterdam, November 1. • Official from Berlin.—"The situation westward of Warsaw is still undeoided. The Russians are slowly pursuing us. iWe'are still drawing up in battle array." •