Russia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 14, 19 April 1916, Page 5

Russia

INTENSE FIGHTING ON TH£ NOR THERN FRONT.

Dnii«jj Pukhi- Association Petrograd April 18. Fighting on the northern front is

growing in intensity. The German torcos have been re-grouped to enable General Hindenburg go commence his maximum effort to take Dvinsk.

i The German attack is developing at Tskknll bridgehead, and the Dvmsu positions south of Garbunovka and Platonovka, which were fiercely eonItested in the autumn.

THE EAST FRONT THREATENED RUSSIA PREPARED.

London April 17

The Times’ correspondent .14,1 Pec regrad says that all symptoms indicate a renewed phase of the struggle on the East front, likely to surpass everything hitherto witnessed. Both belligerents are resolved to force a definite issue. The Russian reoragnisation has now reached the point when they are able to give their antagonists as good as they get, if no t better. It is difficult to prophesy whether the chief 1 ’ow will be directed against the Riga, Dvinsk, or Narotch sectors, but meanwhile the enemy’s movements an the right are regarded as an auxiliary operation, upon the success of which the spring offensive will depend. The lake region is glutted with the Germans’ concentrations, at the ex]>ense of their centre, and there are also considerable concentrations in the rear.

General Hinclenburg’s left flank is in the Dvinsk region, and thanks to the railways these can swiftly reach any point on a three-hundred mile front.

We continue successfully to harass the foe in Galicia, and Austrian prisoners state that all Germans have been withdrawn and sent to France, hut experts believe that they have partly been moved northwards.

TURKISH RUSE THAT FA!LEO.

Petrogracl, April 18

Recent references in the communiques do•not’’ do' justice to the recent fighting in the Caucasus. The Turks made a supreme effort to oppose the Rnksian Advance, and in addition made a determined stand from the Black Sea to Bitlis. , They organised an offensive with the object of recapturing Erzerum. Their plan was a sudden pressure on the Russian right, hoping to cause the Grand Duke Nicholas to transfer his troops towards Trebizond, the Turks then meaning to break the centre in the main forces west of Erzerum. There were six days of most severe fighting, and the Russians met all assaulter until #ie Turks fell hack, leaving {mimy prisoners.

TURKS) A RABBLE.

London, April 17

The Times’ Petrograd correspondent reports-that Turkey’s regular army in Asia Minor has practically ceased to exist. The Dardanelles campaign cost the Turks 300,000 men, at the I: west estimate, and the disastrous fighting at Erzorum wrought further havoc. Though the Turks have still several hundred thousands of armed men, they are scattered and disunited, Ml-trained and ill-supplied. The presence of Bulgars among the troops defending Trebizond emphasises the Turkish weakness. The obstacles which the Russian army have to meet are now mainly climatic and topographical, in getting supplies and keeping communications. There is no resistance by an organised enemy.