The War News.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 27 July 1916, Page 3

The War News.

THE WEEK'S

FRIDAY

Russians in Hungary—Cavalry cross Carpathians—Fighting on British Front — German Submarine Activity.

Russian cavalry have crossed the Carpathians into Hungary, and are threatening the communications of General Pflanzcr's army, which.was recently driven out of Bukovina. The Russians carried the River

Lipa, south and east of Lemberg,

by a night attack, wading * through water up to their armpits, P», The Germans made a violent W attack against positions won by the British in the Somme region a few days ago, and had a temporary measure of success, but most of the ground lost has been regained. The scene of the fighting was the village of Longueval and Delville Wood, both of which have been recaptured.

The Russians have advanced considerably south of Tre.bizond and: westward .of Baiburt, in Armenia, everywhere dislodging the Turkish rearguards.

There has been a recrudescence of German submarine activity, nearly a dozen vessels having been sunk during 24 hours. SATURDAY. French Advance on the Somme — Five miles of Trenches Taken— Further British Progress—Report of Fight in Baltic. The French have recommenced their offensive in the Somme region, and have captured five miles of trenches on both banks of the river, thereby threatening Combies and relieving the pressure on the British front at Longueval. The operations yielded 2900 prisoners.

The British have advanced about 1000 yards north of the Brazentin-Longueval line in spite of stubborn opposition, capturing prisoners and guns.

A fresh contingent of Russians has landed in France.

It is reported that there was a naval engagement between Germans and Russians in the Baltic on Wednesday night. The indications are that the Germans were repulsed.

The new Russian blow in Volhynia opens up possibilities of action in the Lemberg and Vladimir districts. Nearly all the Austrian armies have been broken, and the Germans are unable to send assistance. General Pflanzer's forces are retiring beyond the Carpathians into Transylvania.

A decree has been issued by Italy forbidding the passage of German goods and authorising the taking of measures against German subjects in Italy. MONDAY, Russians Cross the Dvina—German Trenches Captured—Progress on the Somme. The Russians have commenced extensive operations on the extreme north of their line. A German communique admits the crossing of the Dvina River, which enters the sea seven miles north-west of Riga, and on which stands Dvinsk. Other reports state that the Russians have captured three lines of trenches and many prisoners and guns. A tremendous bombardment has been in progress since the 16th. An unofficial message from Rome states that the fall of Brody and Stanislau is imminent and that the Austrians have decided not to defend Lemberg. The Russians have forced the

•'■ passages of the Styr River near ■gLfthe confluence of the Lipa. The British advance has been r Vpushed to Foureaux Wood, north 'of the Brazentin-Longueval line, ''where the Germans made a counter-attack. The British now ' hold the southern half of the ■wood.

Successful operations have been undertaken by the French south of Estrees to protect" the right flank of their previous attacking front.

The Germans have recently sent 340,000 men to the western front, and it is stated that they are prepared to sacrifice ground in the east, if necessary, to hold their western line. Sir Douglas Haig says the supreme decision will be in the west.

TUESDAY Heavy Fighting- -BrHiah Progress on " Snmrae — Russian Pressure Increasing The battle of -he Sommo is increasing in violence. The Germans are fighting desperately r.o check the British advance. Anzac troops are now engaged in this-region.?

SUMMARY.

British territorials and Ausattacked Pozieres, and the latter carried the outer German works. Both reached strong German barriers, but are pushing ahead slowly. At Longueval and Guillemont fighting was intense.

Further Russian successes are reported on the Riga front, in the region of Berestechlo, on the River Styr, on the Lipa, and in Armenia. The Grand Duke Nicholas has captured Ardasa, whereby he has secured all but the last 30 miles of the great military road from Trebizond and Erzeroum to Erzingan.

General Sakharoff's victories on the Lipa River bring the total of General Brussiloff's prisoners since June Bto 300,000. In one week General Sakharoff's successes cost the Amstro-Germans 50,000 casualties, being one-third of the total German forces opposed to him on~tlie Lipa sector.

The Italirns are continuing to press the Austrians on the Trentino front. They have advanced on the slopes of Mount Zebin, and carried some trenches in the Dolomite Alps, also strong positions north-east of Trentino. WEDNESDAY The Somme Battle—Heroic British Attacks — French Success at Vefllun. A large portion of Pozieres is in British hands. The Australian force engaged in the attack with the British has fought terrifically and has captured six officers and 145 men. A correspondent, writing from British headquarters, describes the operations on the Somme as already rivalling those at Verdun. He says that never was there a struggle of more fierce intensity, which promises to increase.

North of Verdum the French have caprured a German redoubt west of Thiaumont work. In ten days they have taken over 800 prisoners in this sector.

The Russians have made further successes on the Lipa front, and in the Caucasus they are continuing their advance on Erziagham.

The' Italians have captured the enemy's defences just below the | summit of Mount Cimone, northeast of Trentino. THURSDAY Pozieres Almost Won —Unprecedented Fighting—Rapid Movement of Artiliery. To-day's cables reflect the unprecedented fieL-ceness of the fighting on the British sector of the Somme front, where the Germans have been further reinforced with infantry and guns. In spite of this, the greater part of the village of Pozieres, where the i battle is raging most furiously, is now in the hands of the British.

New Zealand and Australian troops have borne a heroic part in attack and in the street fighting through Pozieres. The Germans clung to the houses, but they were gradually dislodged from the greater part of village.

The French have captured an island of fortified houses near Estrees, south of the Somme, and have defeated German attacks-on the Verdun sector. A lively combat in Alsace ended in the repulse of the enemy.