TREMENDOUS EFFORTS TO FORCE THE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2533, 6 August 1915, Page 5

TREMENDOUS EFFORTS TO FORCE THE

INTENSE FIGHTING ON POLISH FRONT

ENEMY CHANGES DIRECTION OF ATTACK . , (By Telegraph.—Press' Assn.—Copyright.) ' n(r . , "„ T , ■ fetrograd, August 4. , Umcial. — Ihe enemy, after three days' enormous elforts, dislodged us from tlio sector of the' Narow stretching from Ostrolenka. to Lomza. On the PissaSkva front he threw against us his whole army. It took a whole week to drive back our rearguard from one village. - ' • \"iho fight for the passages .of. the 'Narew, near Novogorod (eoutli of Pultiisk) has not yet begun. .Near tlie motith of the Skva tho enemy reached our "side of the river,'but wo prevented tho artillery, crossing, and with the bayonet annihilated some of tho elements -which had -be.en deprived of the protection of the artillery. Some of the enemy's forces were withdrawn to help the Rozan army, which was also from the left' bank of the Vistula. • Nevertheless, all his efforts to progress towards the east wero broken by the River Oje (Orz). "The enemy then changed-the direction of his attack, and is now on a front between the Narew aud the Oje, making great efforts to advance north-easterly behind Ostrolenka. For'three days the enemy repeatedly hurled masses of infantry at our trenches, suffering heavy losses. „ ■ They only advanced two or three versts (a verst is of a mile). On August 2, during a desperate German attack, we saw cavalry, assailed by our infantry. Tho losses were very great. "In the southern sector, near Bokshivnitz, the . enemy endeavoured-to pass large masses across tho Oje. Valley. Our artillery smothered and dispersed them.' Our losses were very heavy, but the troops are valiantly resisting tho plan to deal a severe blow from tlio Narew line on the rear of tlie Russian armies which aro impeding Ma'ukensen's offensive in the Vieprz Valley." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. ; London, August 4.A German official, communique states: "Our pursuit of tho Russians lias reached Kupiscliki, east of Ponev'ash. "We pushed the Russians back to advanced defensive positions north of Lomza. A Prussian regiment, after heavy fighting, captured the Narew crossing near Ostrolenka, capturing several thousand men'and seventeen machine guns. The pursuit continues. - "We threw tho Russians beforo Warsaw from the Blonie position back to the outer line fortress. . _ ' "General von Woyrsch has captured the west portion of tho fortress of Ivangorod. . > . "Tlio Russians yesterday were again defeated when attempting to arrestGeneral von Maclsen'sen's advanco on Leezna, and aro now retreating north-; ward between the Vistula and the Bug." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. 5 (Roe, 'August 5, 11.40 p.m.) London, August o. An Austrian official communique states: "The Russians are retreating step by step on tlie Bug and Vistula front. • They offered a new resistance at several places. "Tliero was violent fighting on the Leczna-Novoaloxandria line.. Tlie enemy on many- parts of the front undertook short counter-attacks, but continued to retreat northwards, leaving the western part of Ivangorod, on the left of the Vistula, in our hands. "Great fires were seen south-west of Wladimir and Woolynsky." SUGGESTED SURPRISE COUP BY THE RUSSIANS. ' ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, August 4. Petrograd messages in tho Italian Press suggest that the Grand Duke Nicholas is preparing a surprise coup. A correspondent of tlio "Corriero della Sera" states that new dramatic factors are likely, shortly, which will aft'oct the Eastern struggle, tho chances of ultimate success'being with tho innumerable and unconquerable Russians. RUSSIA'S SUPPLIES OF MUNITIONS RISING RAPIDLY. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. August 5, 5.25 p.m.) London, August 4. The "Times" correspondent at Petrograd says that the Duma debates show that tlio output of arms and munitions is now rapidly rising, and when Russia's home supplies and tlio Allied industries give the Army all that is rc-t quired she will then give decisive battle to the invaders. THE WAR IN THE WESTERN THEATRE ENEMY THROWN BACK IN THE ARGONNE Tho High Commissioner reports:— London. August 4, 5.5 p.m. "In tho A-rgonnc, two German attacks resulted in the enemy being thrown back into his trenches. "lii tho VoßgcSi fighting with grvnAclos continues, ty tbo Alllos' .vlvantugg, Mi Barrenkopl a Gei'iuaa souuter-fltt'aok ,wa£ repulsed."-

FRENCH OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. By Telcgrapli—Press Association—Copyright Paris, August 4. A communique states: "In tlie Argonne the enemy made two night attacks, ono between Hill .213 and a ravine at Fontaine-aux-charmes, the other in the region of Marie Therese. The assailants wore every wheio thrown back by infantry and artillery fire. "We repulsed a .counter-attack at Barrenkopf, in Alsace." ITALIAN SIEGE GUNS AT ROVERETO THE ADVANCE IN THE ARSA VALLEY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . . Rome, August 4. The Italians are progressing along the Arsa Valley towards Rovereto. The forts surrounding the town, have already suffered from tlic Italian siege guns. •' AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. 'August 5, 11.40 p;m.) London, August 5. An 1 Austrian official communique states: "The Italians, during fog and rain, on Tuesday, attacked Monte Disibisi, but were repulsed." t WITH THE COLONIALS ON GALLIPOLI SIX WEEKS OF STALEMATE MASTERS OF THEIR BATTLE-FRONT - By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reo. August 5, 10.30 p.m.) London, August 5. ■ Mr. Aslnnead Bartlett, the English war correspondent in Gaflipoli, in a. dispatch dated July. 16, states that tlie position of tho Australians and New Zealanders had not changed for six weeks. They occupied an area which extended from only two thousand yards of sea shore northward, but their interior position had changed out of all recognition since tho landing. The process of consolidating, their position had mado everything comfortable and secure. . "This stalemate," ho writes, "cannot last for ever, and when the moment arrives lor a big push all along the line tho Colonials will certainly resume the activo role'for which they aro peculiarly fitted by temperament , and training. They are desperately eager to advanco and have obtained complete local mastery, deciding themselves whether the daily round will be a truce or constant sniping, bomb-throwing, and milling. 1 Enemy More Careful. "Since their last repulse, the Turks have not been aggressive, being.'content to sit in their trenches and postpone tho trial of strength with such a formidable enemy. Although not so spectacular as the periodical British advances, the Colonials' _ work is equally useful. It has entailed enormous physical labour, besides inflicting heavy Turkish losses The German commanders realiso the eyer : proselit danger if. their innumerable trenches are depleted; tlie Colonials i will promptly break; tliibugli. . ' , , \ "The great .Turkish;'.attcmpts have been an. utter fiasco.' Now that our fire trenches, are impregnable, the dange" period has passed, but thero is continuous fighting, .with heavy casualties on both sides. Local attacks and counter-attacks; incessant, bomb-throwing, mining, and trench digging keep the Australians and Now Zealanders busy.. They liavo been given invaluable experience iiit'his kind of warfaro. The soft'sandy soil entails constant repairs to collapsed trendies'. Tho Turks sometimes amuse .themselves by shelling an entire section ,_ and hence it must, be rebuilt. Along a ridgo a few feet .wide, the enemy is a few yards, in front and a sheer precipice, and shifting sand behind. . Through the" Periscope. "A glimpse through a periscopo shows that the Turks .are. in the same difficulties; their spades.are always shovelling earth for dear life. Our outer defence lino is not a complete semi-circle' The Turks hold a section at the top. of Shrapnel Valley; ... ~.. - "Six weeks ago wo had an unpleasant visit to QuiniiY Post, Popo's Post, and Courtenay's Tost. To-day the indefatigable energy of the" men from down undor has enabled tho reaching of tho firo trenches a matter of comparative safety. Tho Turks daren't expose themselves for a- second, and no longer- snipe down Shranncl Valley. The New Zealanders, Australians, and Light Horso dismounted troops hero entrenchefl have obtained complete fire supremaoy.' • .... '•-* Owing to the proximity of the lines at this point hand-grenades and trench-mortar's aro the chief weapons. There was a very deadly struggle for Quinn's Post, which was Ion" 'no man's land,' both sides, waiting' for an opportunity to secure it. Skilled New Zealand miners finally captured and sinde hayo held it firmly. They dug a network of trenches, tunnels, and bombproofs, supported, by beams. The Turks endeavoured to blow up this new defence, but tho New Zealanders counter-mined and blew up the enemy instead. Snipers are forcing the Turks farther back. Quinn's Post is lioiv impregnablo ■and quito comfortable. ■ Underground living is popular because of the cool excellent cover. Many dead Turks are lying in neutral ground in the mazo of barbed-wire. '• , . '''Tho Turks' first lesson is to hido and never disclose his numbers. When tho Australians, tiring of; inactivity, wero wondering whether the Turks had remained in any strength, a British aeroplane passed over, flying low, and the Turks couldn't resist jumping up and volleying at tho intrepid airman. These lifeless trenfches fairly bristled with bayonets, -showing the importance the Turks attach to the position. The Turks' guns are constantly shelling the Australian and New Zealand positions, and thero is one gun the Colonials are'longing to have a-reckoning with. The Colonial Soldier—An Impression. They cheerfully faced the labour of bringing ammunition and stores, and especially water up the barren cliffs. They have amazing physique, and noEuropean nation possesses anything to compare with them. Tlie Prussian Guard aro picked men, but fat and ungainly, while the Colonials aro great big-limbed athletes, with not a jwund of superfluous flesh among the lot. Tin's is . not so 'much an army as a community come together for a job. They have framed their own laws, and carry them out. They work in little groups, united either by homo ties-or mutual regard. These groups discipline themselves. When ordered to carry water they don't march smartly in obedience .to the non-coni., but saunter slowly, and sit down and light pipes, contemplating tho work with probably a - millionaire cowboy, doctor, or clerk among them. Tho unofficial leader of .the gang presently rises slowly and says: "Well, boys, it's got to be done, and the quicker tho better we get over it." Then they start work like niggers, not stopping or slackening until finished. ' "Four millionaires ivero working in a mineshaft. They had not finished when the others came to relievo them, but they refused to go until they had finished, because they wanted it to be known that it was their job. A Naked Army. "S T ot since the last chnrge of the Der7ishes at Omdtirman has such' a naked army been seen in tho field. The_ British Tommy works iii tho sweating and broiling'sun without removing a sincta pack, but it is difficult to find an Australian or New Zealander wearing anything except a pair of shorts, and probably these are only due to a feeliim of deceiicv. First coats went, then shirts and undercloths, then boots. Their huge frames and giant limb's are burnt to a dull brick-red. A learned anthropologist suddenly discovering'them lvould probably classify tliein as a surviving branch of the American Indians.: Tho excellent sea bathing alone has rendered the campaign tolerablo, ami tho procession of naked warriors to the beach never ceased from sunrise till sunset, regardless of snipers or bursting shrapnel." ' 90,000 WOUNDED IN CONSTANTINOPLE. London, August 4. Tho Milan paper "Corriere della Sera" states that thero are 90,000 wounded ill Constantinople. Tho mosques in Stambul have been transformed into hospitals. GREECE AND THE QUADRUPLE ENTENTE Athens, August 4. Ministers of the Quadruple Entente paid a_ collective visit to M. Gounaris tho'Greek Premier, and mado joint representations on tho questions of the day ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ■ (Rec. August 5, 5.25 p.m.) ; London, August' 4. Reports from Athens state that tho week Government journals are not hostile to M. Venizelos' returning to power, and are facing that eventuality tranquilly. The King, who is now restored t-o liealth, will immediately offer the President of tho Chamber the choice of seeking a way out conformable to constitutional charter, or charging M. Venizelos with tho duty of forming a Cabinet. RUMANIA BLOCKING GERMAN SUPPLIES FOR TURKEY. Milan, August 4. Rumanian semi-official newspapers stats that the control over railway wagons is so strict that it is impossible for munitions to pass into Turkey. Tho Government opposes the passago of German munitions, the motivo given being that Rumania had placed an order with Germany for munitions, but had been unablo to obtain fulfilment of the contract,' which is attributed to Germany's want of confidonce in Rumania. ITALY'S NAVAL AND MILITARY CO-OPERATION ■ (Rcc. August 5, 8.25 p.m.) Paris, August 5.. An Italian officer has arrived at British Headquarters ill the Mediterranean to conecrt measures fur wUiiur.v ami naval co-cwaticu iu tho