IN THE ZONE OP DEATH

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2575, 24 September 1915, Page 5

IN THE ZONE OP DEATH

CAPTURE OF NOVO-GEORGIEVSK DESCRIBED FEARFUL SLAUGHTER ByTßlograsli—Press Association—Oonyrlglit (Kec. September 28, 0.15 p.m.) • Petrograd, September 28. Tho Russian newspaper "llusskoye iSlovoe" publishes the first detailed account of tho capture of the fortress of Novo Georgievsk. "The Germans expected tho defenders to retire, and when tho Kaiser heard that they wero resolved to fight to the last shell, and that tho defenders would make tho Germans pay t'lie heaviest prico for tfieir success, he was seized with ungovernable furj\ "Asked why they killed the Russian wounded, captured Germans said: 'AVe were ordered not to leave a single living Russian. The Kaiser has given instructions that the garrison at Novo Gcorgievsk must be buried under the walls of the fortress.'

"The Germans always assaulted in close formation, although within a mile of the guns of the fortress. Our' shells were pumped into the middle of this mass of humanity, converting wholo companies into mere fragments of flesh and bona, Russian observers likened the battlefield to a vast- moth-eaten fur being beaten' with a stick. With each explosion a cloud of human remains rose in tho air. Even the iron disciplined Germans shrank from the ordeal of attacking suuh a hurricane of Bra. The attackers were made drunk before they were ordered forward—not a single German who was captured during the assault was found sober. "The Germans attacked one group of fortifications incessantly for twenty-four hours. The Russian gunners fainted from fatigue, their guns grew red-hot, and exploded under their own shots. Some of tho enemy who succeeded in getting close in hurled their rifles, with bayonets fixed, into, the Russian ranks, and then clenched their fists and cried wildly : 'Give us Novo' Georgievsk!' "

"Tlio 'Russians at dawn looked over the battlefield, a, track of land seven versts (4 2-3 rd miles) broad and two versts (1 l-3rd miles) long. It was covered with a thick layer of dead. Elsewhero tlie Germans had rushed, upon our roa-chiue-guns until their bodies choked the action. Bayonet attacks followed and drunken Germans swept over the trendies in groups/ and falling upon the defenders like madmen, bit and chewed tlio faces of tho Russian soldiery. The Germans paid tho full price, and lience tlio capture of Novo Georgievsk caused no joy in Germany."