Eastern Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 28 November 1914, Page 5

Eastern Campaign

THE GERMAN DEBACLE. ARMY PRACTICALLY SURROUNDED. TURNING MOVEMENT COLLAPSES. CROWN PRINCE'S ARMY ROUTED. KAISER'S CARRIAGE CAPTURED. AUSTRIANS DEMORALISED. Petrograd, November 26 The military authorities deprecated the publication of incomplete accounts of the Vistula-Warta fighting. It is believed in military circles that two German army corps broke through a section of the Russian defence and that tlie Russian coUnter-rush drove them southward and practically surrounded them on Monday between Lodz and Lowiez.

There is now no doubt that the German offensive is broken. The Russians are bringing up fresh troops to meet each German assault. When the Germans gave way the Russian cavalry did terrible execution, capturing several guns.

General Hinderberg is weak and isolated from the Crown Prince, who is commanding south of Czenstochowa. The failura of the turning movement in the direction of Etiolun was due to the Russian Grenadiers, who took 5000 prisoners and captured several machine 71ms.

The trophies captured at Czenstochowa include the Kaiser's carriage and his blue cloak within. Rome, November 26.

Russian official reports state that the Crown Prince's army is retreating in disorder and abandoning arms, ammunition, provisions and horses. Horses with saddles bearing the Imperial monogram have been captured. Eye-witnesses from Galicia describe the Austrians' extraordinary confusion and disorder. Entire detachments have been without food for days. There is wholesale pillage and residents are shot on the slightest pretext. One officer committed suicide after writing to his wife: "I am going mad. lam unable to fulfil such an order. I would rather commit suicide than be a murderer."

Petrograd, November 20.

As showing the remarkable powers of endurance of Russian soldiers, some corps have. been continuously engaged for fifty days. They have stormed several fortified positions, marched a tliouuund versts (000 miles) on bad roads and are now so inured to hardships as to be of greater fighting value than 'ever. .

GERMANS'SECOND MARCH ON WARSAW. MISCALCULATION OP RUSSIAN ■ MOBILITY. EIGHT FLANK CUT OFF. MAIN BODY'S SLIGHT CHANCES OF ESCAPE. Received 27, 10.40 p.m. London, November 27. The Daily Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent says the battle at Kalusyki was a crowning victory of the Polish campaign. While the main German army was hurrying down from Thorn to Plock, a strong force was thrown at Kolusyki, the. junction of three railways cast of Lodz. ! The Germans knew the main Russian force was attacking Cwnstochowa, and believed it was impossible for the Russians to face-about before Warsaw fell, but the success with which the Germans had torn up bridges and railways blocked their own game, having made the Russians' advance so difficult that the reserves were still in the vicinity of Lodz when the news came of the second attack on Warsaw. Tlie Russian wing made a half-turn, and battled its way towards the German rear, driving the Germans thirty miles in. a single, day. Finally they enveloped the right flank of the Germans in the Lodz district. Meanwhile, the Russians broke the German centre north of Lodz, severing the right flank from the main body, who are now striving to hew their way northwards, but their chances of escape are slight. Tlie reserve army at Wiclim was set in motion too late, and the Russians were able to cheek its advance. Captured cannon and prisoners are already pouring into Warsaw, including the Prussian Guards. Though they had I received their winter clothing, many were maimed and disabled by frost-bite.

LODZ BATTLE CONTINUES. GERMAN FORCE EXTRICATES ITSELF., \ TWO AUSTRIAN REGIMENTS TAKEN. Received 27, 9.20 p.m. Petrograd, November 27. Official: The Lodz battle continue* to develop. The Russians Secured the advantage. German efforts have been directed at extricating the corps which penetrated Breziny, and is now retreating on the iStrykon,, region, north of Lodz, under very favorable conditions. The Russians took prisoners 8000 Austrians on the 25th, including two complete regiments.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PICTURE. GERMANS CLAIM BIG VICTORY. FORTY THOUSAND RUSSIANPRISONERS. Received 27, !).40 p.m. Amsterdam, November 27. An official Berlin massage states that General Von Macksen was victorious at Lodz and Lowicz, and captured 40,000 uninjured prisoners, 70 cannon, 100 ammunition waggons, and 136 machine-guns. He also destroyed 30 cannon. The final result of the fighting,is pending.