FIERCE BATTLE ON THE SAN RIVER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2473, 28 May 1915, Page 5

FIERCE BATTLE ON THE SAN RIVER

THREE MILLION MEN FIGHTING . GERMAN ATTACK ON RUSSIAN CENTRE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Petrograd, May 26. The correspondent of the London "Daily News" says that the battle on the San is developing into tho fiercest.of tho war. Three million men are attacking and counter-attacking daily along the entire front. The Kaiser is personAlly directing operations. ■ A great flock of German, aeroplanes is taking part. The Russians shot four airmen. General von Hindenburg states that the stupendous slaughter was due to the solid phalanxes the Kaiser ordered to cross the river Jaroslav. The Germans hold only twenty miles between Opatow and Kalomea. They have been fastened to tho right bank owing to the Russian successes above and below them, the Germans moving in closo order like the troops of. ancient The San is flooded with German blood. "THE DANGER IS AT THE CENTRE." (Rec. May 27,10 p.m.) London, May 27. The "Times's" military correspondent states that there are thirty-four 'Austro-German armv corps oil' the offensive between Poland and Bukovina. "The wings have hitherto been checked, but the danger is at the centre, where the Germans claim to have penetrated seven miles east of the San, at an estimated cost of fifty per cent, of their strengths. They are now fighting for space to deploy oil the right bank. _ _ _ "Perhaps an even more critical attack is developing between Przemysl and the Dneister marshes, where seventeen Austro-Uerman army corps' are enEaßed ' The from the Oanajecz, The "Times" correspondent at Ivengorod writes (after a motor ride of I°o miles in rear of the Russian line): "Tho Russians are optimistic regarding the present position. ' Whert the Russians learned of the German offensive movement they ■strengthened their reserve line, hoping to hold the Donajecz line but thev were prepared to retire if necessary. The German attack on the Don'aiecz was unparalled. The enemy's batteries were massed m tie.rs-first the field-guns," then the howitzers, and then their heaviest mobile guns. "A torrent of uninterrupted shell-fire destroyed the Russian centre, through which the Germans poured, hoping to destroy both the, wings at their leisure Tho Russians, however, were not demoralised, and closed tho gap with their reserves, which reached the San. The retreat to the &an was comparablef ' to that of the British from Mons. The Russians obeyed the order to retire, with great reluctance. PERFECT HURRICANE OF ARTILLERY (Roc. Mav 27, 11.15 p.m.) PJtrograd, May 26. Official The desperato battle on the banks of the San continues. The snemv is still bringing it]) important forces, and has developed a perfect hurricane of artillery "between Przemysl and the Dneister marshes. All the at- • tacks have been repulsed. . An ■mojliciiil message states that after forty-eight hours for recuperation the "Germans renewed the • onslaught in Galicia, and essayeda strong offensive at Opatow, in an endeavour to drive back the Russian right. Tile Russians repulsed the attacks with heavy losses, following up their success with a series of counter-attacks. ... , , „ , , T , Meanwhile the Russians hold both banks of the San between Jaroslav and Przemvsl threatening the enemy's flanks with a battering ram. Tho ' - German attacks south-east of Przemysl have not yet broken tho Russian defence, after weeks of fighting. , c „ , .. At one place a Russian corps attacked with such fury that lliey practically destroyed the 110 th Landsturm, and mauled two • supporting divisions, making prisoners of six thousand. Jlanv Russians expect a sudden cessation or the tralician attack and a fresh German concentration against tho 13/,ura. or Warsaw. If the Germans continue to support- the Austrians in Galicia, the Russians are likely to alter their objective and attack Silesia. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT The High Commissivicr reports: — London, May 26, .1.40 p.m. "On the whole of the- DubisSa front sharp fighting prevails, and the action is still unfinished. "On the left bank of the Vistula, in the Opatow region, lighting continues. The enemy li3s a certain number of reinforcements. Attempt? uf f'ne enemy at an offensive were repulsed by the euccesc of our couiitor-altncfct, .which inflicted heavy loss.

"In Galicia, on the Jaroslav-l'rzemysl front, desperate fighting was lesuilictl 011 Tuesday, 011 both banks of the San. , "Great attacks by the enemy on Monday and Tuesday on the bussaiuiveKrukectza front wore scattered by Russian artillery fire. • "Near the village oi' old Burtcliitze, tlio Russians again took over 11JUU P'j sioners, including 20 officers, and also several macliino guns and searchiignts. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. . Amsterdam, May 26. A German communique states:—"General Mackenseu, after severe figbting, captured Swieck, south-east of Radymna (ten miles south-east ol Jarosuu). Wo forced the crossing of the San after the Austrians had stormed the bridgehead. Further north we reached the district east of Laszkc (twenty-live nines north-west of Jaroslav)." GERMANS EXASPERATED TO FURY VIOLENT FIGHTING DESTRUCTIVE RAIDS BY FRENCH AIRMEN London, May 26. 4 p.m. The High Commissioner reports:— . "The recent checks which have been suffered by the Germans have driven them to extremely violent action. Furious fighting went on during last night. The French troops gave proof of their magnificent courage and tenacity, keeping all their gains. _ "The Germans first made a- counter-attack against the work which was captured by the French north-west of Angre, and spent many furious efforts on it. Despite a bombardment of exceptional intensity to which the French wore subjected, they retained the whole of the now positions. "At another point the French at the end of the day occupied almost tho whole of the low ground about Buval, where they gained a footing yesterday afternoon. They lield tho ground under violent fire. At the same time they gained the ground on the crests north-east of Notre Dame de Lorette, and captured a Gorman trench near Souchez. _ , n "A rather lively artillery fire is going on in the Soissous-Reims region. London, May 27, 4.35 a.m. "The British mado a fresh advancein tho direction of La Bas&ee, capturing 60 prisoners and some -machine guns. "North of Arras the Germans continued their desperato efforts to recapture the positions lost by them on Tuesday, in the region of Angre. Fighting was extremely. violent throughout the day, and some salients were exchanged more than once. Tha Allies gained a footing at differe.it points, and the enemy did not reoccupv any trench captured by the Allies on Tuesday on the Aix Noulette-Souchez road. ' a. "Despite an intenso bombardment, the Allies advanced 200 yards on tho slopes north-east of Chapel Lorette. The enemy losses were very heavy. "A German aeroplane which was flying towards Paris was brought down, and both the occupants killed. French aircraft dropped fifty shells on tho aerodrome at La Boayotte, near Douai, striking the sheds and machines." BOMB-DROPPING VENTURES. The High Commissioner reports:— Lonrlon May 26, 4 p.m % "During yesterday the French aviators showed great activity all along til® front, and succeeded m several bomb-dropping ventures. Thoy threw 203 projectiles, including 82 large bombs of ten kilos each, and 14 shells of 155 calibre, weighing 43 kilos each. _ . "The efficacy of the explosions was verified at several points, notably the German aviation depot at Hewilly, south-east of Raisel, where a shed ' and machine took fire; and at the German reserve park for aircraft, Grand Pnel, north-west of St. Quentin, where part of the roof was broken down and petrol p rece ding night four shells were thrown on the railway station at Douai; fire was sten to break out in the neighbourhood of the goods station." VITAL RAILWAY LINK BROKEN. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. May 27, 11.50 p.m.) Rotterdam, May 2i. The raid on St. Pierre made a great hole in tho railway bridge over the Scheldt, which bfidge carries practically all the traffic from Bruges to Ostend, and also the Berlin and Vienna expresses. (Rec May 27, 9.15 p.m.) Paris, May 27. Official.—"An aeroplane which was flying towards Paris threw bombs upon Means. Meanwhile the air squadron ou our front was warned, awaited its return, and brought it down nt Soissons. Both German aviators were killed. "Our aeroplanes doopptd 50 90-millimetre shells upon tho Douai aerodrome, hitting the hangars and aeroplaues." f BRITISH ADVANCE EAST OF FESTUBERT London, May 26, 11.30 p.m. Sir John French reports:— "The British First Army continues to progress east of Fest-übert, the Territorial Di>ision carrying a group of Gorman trenches." SPLENDID SUCCESS OF THE FIRST ARMY. London, May 26. Sir John- French reports:—"The army continues to adva-ico east of Festubert. A territorial division last night captured a group of German trenches. Since May 16 our First Army has pierced the German line on a front of over throe miles, taking prisoner eight officers and 777 men, and capturing ton machine guns." THE FRENCH ATTACK ON ANGRES (Rec. May 27, 11.50 p.m.) Paris, May 27: Angres is a big milling village whore the Germans have hidden among houses great guns with which they have hindered the French attacks on the Lorette slopes. The French are approaching Angres from the west and northwest through German field-works constructed among the mines and slag-heaps. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE Amsterdam. May 26. A German coramunijue states:—"We repulsed a night attack against our newly-conquered positions west of Bellewarde. : The number of machine guns captured from the British was increased to tell. "North-east of Givenchy coloured British troops succoeded in capturing a salient of our advanced trenches. "North of, Souehez-Bethune lino the enemy who yesterday penetrated our trenches was ejected at night-,"-