The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 22 June 1916, Page 3

The War News.

FRIDAY,

Action in the Baltic—Cruiser and Destroyer Sunk—Russian Naval Success.

A German naval convoy in the Baltic was surprised and overwhelmed by Russian destroyers and submarines. A cruiser was sunk, and the whole of her crew drowned. At least one of the destroyers was sent to the bottom also the 14 merchantmen they were convoying.

Except for local resistance the Austrian army continues to retreat between the Pripet marshes and the Roumanian frontier. Six thousand additional prisoners have been captured, and 230 additional guns and 260 machine-guns.

The Russians have occupied heights on the western bank of the Strypa River, and Russian cavalry is 19 miles beyond (Jzernovitz, the, capital of Bukovina.

The Austrians are completely disorganised in many sectors, and have abandoned great quantities of materials.

The Turkish offensive frotn Bagdad, in which important forces were engaged, has been stopped by the Russians.

. A number of Austrian attacks in the Trentina have been repulsed.

SATURDAY

Attitude of Greece — Government pro-German — Russians Still Advancing—How Earl Kitchener met his fate.

The Greek police have permitted disgraceful demonstrations, led by Government secret agents, against the allies. Offices of pro-ally newspapers have been wrecked.

The Russian advance on the southern front has been continued, although at some points the enemy made counter-attacks. The total of prisoners is now 150,000 men and 2467 officers.

Civilians have been ordered to leave Lemberg, and the garrison of Przemysl has been warned of the possibility of a siege. It is stated that the Russians captured the Pruth bridgehead at Czernovitz, and entered the northeastern suburbs.

The Italians have captured trenches and 500 prisoners east of Monfalcone, on the Isonzo front.

The Admiralty's report on the loss of the cruiser Hampshire states that Earl Kitchener was last seen on the quarter-deck. It is not known whether he entered the captain's boat or what happened to the, boat. A seaman who gave evidence stated that Earl Kitchener did not leave the ship. He was last seen standing on the quarter-deck, calm and unperturbed, talking to officers. MONDAY, Russian Progress—Advance west of Luck — Reported Revolt in Bosnia — Loss of a British Destroyer. The Russians are still advancing west and south-west of Luck, and are within 25 miles of the important railway junction of Kovel. An Austrian counterattack was repulsed near Kolki, north-east of Luck, and the Russians pierced the defences of the northern bank of the Styr River. The Austrians have been thrown back towards Brody, which is on the railway from Dubno to Lemberg. The Russians are round three sides of. Czernovitz, the capital of Bukovina,. The population of Bosnia is reported to be in revolt. The Russians are making strong attacks near Baranovitch, on the north s*de of the Pripet marshes. Their artillery on the Dvinsh front is preventing German offensives. Greek and Bulgarian detachments fought for several hours near Serres, in Eastern Macedonia. The result is not known. The Italians have had the better of fierce fighting on the Trentino front. Hot only have they repulsed Austrian attacks with heavy losses, but they have advanced north-east of Asiago. The British destroyer Eden — one of the earlier type —has been sunk in the English Channel through collision. One officer and 30 men were saved, TUESDAY More Russian Successes— Capture of Czernovitz—Germans Repulsed at Verdun—Famine and Disease in Servia. Czernovitz, the capital of Bukovina. has fallen to the Russians,' who captured several

THE WEEK'S SUMMARY.

guns with the town. The Russians are pursuing the Austrian forces which are retreating towards the Carpathians.

The intense fighting on many fronts is unparalleled since the earliest months of the war. Military critics suggest that the Germans are attempting to prevent an allied general offensive, and that the Russian effort demands that the allies should come to grips with the enemy in all theatres.

Several German attacks on the new French positions at Mort Homme, north-west of Verdun, proved costly failures. The enemy made equally fruitless attacks north of Thiaumont.

The German attempt to raid Bar-le-Duc, south of Verdun, cost them five machines, brought down by French airmen and gunners. Famine and disease are rife in Servia. Cholera and diphtheria are claiming many victims in Belgrade, where the dead are buried in huge trenches. WEDNESDAY British at Archangel — Complete Unit Arrives—Roumanians Clamouring lor War — Germans Lose 415.000 at Verdun. A complete British unit has arrived at Archangel, and received a warm welcome. A British naval armoured car detachment was smothered with flowers in the streets of Moscow. The Russians are still advancing , towards Lemberg, despite Austrian counter- attacks designed to stop them. Three thousand prisoners and several guns were captured by the Russians at Czernovitz.

' The Russians are using a new gas, for which much is claimed. It is said to be withoutt an antidote, and can be sent, under a propellant, for miles in a definite direction.

The British corresponded with the French army states that Germany has hurled about 880,000 men against Verdun, representing half the German forces available in France, A semi-official French estimate places the German losses at Verdun to the end of May at 415,000. Fifty thousand persons paraded the streets of Bucharest, the capital of Roumania, demanding intervention on the side of the allies. Food riots and industrial troubles affecting Aix-la-Chapelle in Rhenish Prussia, Madgeburg, the {capital of Saxony, and Munich, the capital of Bavaria, are reported. The German winter rye crop has been almost ruined by rain.

THURSDAY Austrian Army Spilt — Russian Advance Contiuued—Bombing of Turkish Aerodrome. The Russians have divided General Pflanzer's army in Bukovina, driving one portion to near the Roumanian frontier, and the other in the direction of the Carpathians. The Russian advance continues In Bukovina the enemy's retirement is disorderly, and the pursuit is energetic, The Russians have captured 3233 prisoners and 17 guns on the River Styr, and 1216 at another point. Several peace demonstrations have taken place in Vienna. The I public are dazed by the Russian advance, . Three German attacks on Hill 321, directly north of Verdun, were smashed. A large enemy aerodrome at El Arish, on eastern border of Egypt, was attacked by 11 British aeroplanes. Two hangars were completely destroyed and four others bombed. An enemy camp and troops were also bombed.