Eastern News

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 40, 18 February 1915, Page 5

Eastern News

BACKS TO THE WALL. DESPERATE FIGHTING AT CZERNOWITZ.

United Press Association. (Received 9 a.m.) London, February 17. Mr Martin Donohoe, in the Daily

Chronicle, reports that he witnessed an Austro-German attack at Czenovvitz. Two columns crossed the Sereth river in the Storanzynetz region, suffering appalling losses, and on Monday threatened to cut off the Russian retreat from Czernowitz. The fighting became desperate, and the AustroGermans, being reinforced by a column from Galicia, renewed the attack on Tuesday at three points. Regardless of losses, they gained the bottom valley and attempted to ascend the snowclad slopes, but Russian artillery swept the enemy away. Wave after wave advanced, leaving thousands dead. Isolated groups flung themselves upon the parapets and trenches, the Russians with their backs to the wall fighting with sublime courage. Later, the enemy cut the road from Czernowitz to Roumania, the Russians hurrying up reinforcements. It is computed that the enemy had three army corps well supplied with artillery.

ALLEGED RUSSIAN LOSS. NINE DAYS OF BATTLE AT THE

MAZURIAN LAKES.

(Received 91.0 a.m.) Berlin, February 17

An official statement claims that after nine days' of battle at the Mazurian lakes, the Russian army was thrown across the frontier with great loss of life. Fifty thousand prisoners 40 cannon, and 60 machine guns were captured. The Germans also claim to have occupied Plock. HOMELIKE DUG-OUTS. OFFICERS' AT BZURA MAKE THEMSELVES COMFORTABLE. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, February 17. Correspondents who are with the Russians, in describing the strength of the position at Bzura, say they occupy the officers' dug-outs, which are furnished with sofas, writing tables, pictures, and oil lamps. MISCELLANEOUS.

Times and Sydney Sun Service. London, February 17.

Berlin claims that Germans captured 29,000 j&ussians in the last few days.

The German advance in East Prussia was foreseen, but it apparently developed faster than was expected. The Russian arrangements were made in time, and the troops have Tallen back on an extremely strong position. The enemy's further advance will be severely impeded by the heavy condition of the roads through the swampy country.

Paris is informed that the Germans have evacuated Lodz, and are hur. riedly removing victuals and stores to Kalisch.

* Petrograd, February 17

Official: We obstinately fought superior German forces.at Augustovo, which were trying to surround outwings. A German column is advancing from Grajevo to Osowiec. The enemy between the Vistula and the Skrawa reached the line, Plock to Macionz.

The enemy captured Nadworna in Bukovina and crossed the Sereth river.