FIERCE ENGAGEMENTS ON THE RUSSIAN BATTLE-FRONT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2845, 9 August 1916, Page 5

FIERCE ENGAGEMENTS ON THE RUSSIAN BATTLE-FRONT

BRUSILOFF INITIATES A GENERAL OFFENSIVE, BAD WEATHER HAMPERING MOVEMENTS — \ The High Commissioner reports:— ' London, August 7, 3.55 p.m. An official message from Petrograd sap: "We captured strongly-fortified positions in tho Zvyjin-Kostianiec-Rebi-uv region after fierce bayonet encounters in the; wood's. The enemy coun-ter-attacked,; the engagements are proceeding under difficult conditions, uninterrupted rains having reduced the ground almost to a morass. On the River Itoropotz energetic attacks by tho euomy at Velesnuk were repelled with severe losses. On the River Tohornoi, at Tolieremock, southwards of Vorckhta, the enemy forcedl back our oavalry slightly. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. . Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. August 8, 8.35 p.m.) Petrograd, August 8. A Russian official communique, states: —"Wo took prisoners two thousand of tho enomy—a portion of them Germans—on the Sercth on August 6. The fighting continues to bo fierce." VIOLENT GENERAL OFFENSIVE BY BRUSILOFF. London, August 7. General Brusiloff's entire armies aro carrying out a violent general of- • fensive, extending over one-third of tho Russian Eastern front. SAICHAROFF APPROACHING THE BERLIN-LEMBERG-ODESSA RAILWAY. ("The Times.") London, August 7. General Sakharoff's latest attack establishes him on th-3 heights across the Soreth and Graberka Rivers, within eleven miles of the main Berlin-Lemberg-Od'essa. railway (the Tamopol-Lemborg) line. GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. . . ." . London. August 7. A German official communiquo reports: "General von Hindeuburg repulsed Russian detachments which were advancing from the Stochod. Russian attacks westward of Zaloczo were futilo. We gained tho Carpathian heights at Czermosy." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. August 8, 7.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, August 7. An Austrian official communique 6tatcs:~-"Wo captured positions on the heights of Jablonitza and Worochta. Westward of Tartaroff, General von Koeweis repelled strong forces." REPORTED AUSTRIAN RETIREMENT FROM TARNOPOL. (Keuter's Telegram.) (Reo. August 8, 3.5 p.m.) Petrograd, August 7. Their succcsses southward cf Brody bring tlie Russian's within fourteen miles of the Tarnopol-Lemberg railway. It is reported that tho Austrians have begun to retire from Tarnopol in tho direction of Zlotchoff. Prisoners state that three divisions of German reinforcements have been sent to Zlotchoff and Pomorjang. BULGARIANS WITHDRAW FROM THE AUSTRO-GERMAN FRONT, (Eeuter's Teleeram.) . (Rec. August 8, 8.5 p.m.) London, August 7. Berlin newspapers report that largo numbers of Bulgarians who were recently fighting on the Austro-Gennan Eastern front have been withdrawn to the Balkans. VON HINDENBURG AT KOVEL. Australiaw-Ncw Zealand Cable Association. ' London, August 7. General von Hindenburg inspected the troops and defences of Kovel. He ordered that Germans should replace Austrians on Von Bothmer's staff. ■ /_ CLEAN SWEEP OF INCOMPETENT AUSTRIAN OFFICERS. ■ . . ■ Berne, August 7. One lieutenant-general, five major-generals, four brigadier-generals, thirteen colonels, twelve lieutenant-colonels, and three majors of the Austrian army have been dismissed for inefficiency at the instance of the German General Staff. ffieuter's Telezram.) (Roc. August 8, 3.5 p.m.) j ■ Berne, August. 7. The high Austrian commanders dismissed at General von Hindenburc's suggestion include General Pflanzer and the Archduke Josef Ferdinand. THE GERMAN REQUEST FOR TURKISH HELP CONSTANTINOPLE NEWSPAPER SUSPENDED FOR A "BACKANSWER." Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. The "Giornalo d'ltalia" states that the Turkish Government hafrefused ' the German request for 100,000 troops to help Austria. 16 declares that all the available Turkish troops aro required to resist tho Russian advance in Asia. ■ . ' e The publication; of tho Constantinople newspaper "Tanin" has been ' suspended for suggesting that Germany and Austria, instead of asking for Turkish troops should recall their own troops from the Balkans and .Constantinople, where they arte unpopular. THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE IN AjSIA MINOR AN ADVANCE OF SEVERAL MILES. • ' The High Commissioner reports/ 1 ; London, August 7, 3 p.m. A Russian official report states: "In the Kialkitchiftlik-Erzingan region we advanced several versts. Northward of the River Muratchaia, the Turks, after attacking all day, were repelled. In tho region of Muchsho continual attacks by the Turks compelled us to mako a slight retirement. Near Bitlis largo Turkish forces obstinately attacked, but were repelled by close fighting." TURKISH FLIGHT TO THE MOUNTAINS. Australian-jfcw Zealand Cable Association. . , * -l • Rome, August 7. "La Naziono" (Florence) states that since the fall of Erzingan tho Turkish army has been fleeing towards Sivas (about 200 miles in a direct lino westward), across tlie roadless mountains, abandoning its guns and equipment. The losses in tho Armenian campaign number over 300,000. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. August S, 8.35 p.m.) Petrograd, August 8. A Russian official communiquo states:—"Wo withdrew to tho region eastward of Kermanshah (in Persia), under the pressure of the Turkish attacks."