RUSSIANS SLOW DOWN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 150, 28 June 1916, Page 5

RUSSIANS SLOW DOWN.

OPPOSED BY GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS.

BIG DRAFTS FROM THE WEST

PBTROGRAD, June 27*

The Russians on the Kovel front advanced 48 miles in ten days, until rapidly increasing enemy formations compelled them to slow down. They were forced to defend themselves against attacks by superior numbers. including the Tenth Prussian Corps (from Rheims), the Fifth Bavarian Corps (from Arras), and other troopsi from Laon and Verdun. Prisoners state that the Kaiser said he intended to send seven German corps to Kovel if necessary to re-ttake Luck.

A BUSY SATURDAY NIGHT.

MUNSTER FUSILIERS AND ANZACS PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL. HOSTILE LINES PENETRATED IN , TEN PLACES. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, June 26. The British official report says: We were successful on Satin day night at a nnmber of different points. The hostile lines were penetrated in ten places. We inflicted considerable casualties, and ours everywhere were very slight. The Munster Fusiliers and the Anzac troops were particularly successful. There was much artillery fire on both sides throughout the evening and night B Our artillery considerably damaged their trenches. Four large explosions were caused by our heavy artillery in the enemy’s rearward lines. On Sunday our artillery was again active at numerous points, doing considerable damage to defensive works.

GERMANS CREEPING TOWARDS VERDUN.

FRENCH NOT DESPONDENT. Times and Sydney Sun Cables.) ■Received 5-55 p.m., June 27. LONDON, June 27. The “Times” correspondent at Paris says that Fleury is the scene of tremendous house-to-house and cel-lar-to-cellar grenading. The Germans may soon hope to commence a great attack on the Souville plateau, which is the last bulwark of the outer Verdun defences. The scantiest margin now separates the French and Germans from victory, but there is still no inclination to despondency. The French people have realised that the moment is now close when the fate of Verdun will be merged in the general strategic situation. The enemy seems to be held at present at Fleury, but a wedge has been driven here between the main French positions, and the enemy will naturally endeavour to drive on as soon as possible.