Eastern Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 8 December 1914, Page 5

Eastern Campaign

GERMAN'S STROXGi.Y REIXFORCED. OX- THE AGGRESSIVE. ,stj:;r:x;; stokies o;.' j;u,s.s!ax BRAVERY. SIBERIAN'S' REMARKABLE STAMIXA. ) Received 7, 11.5 p.m. London, December 7. The Daily Telegraph's IV.lrograd correspondent reports tluit on Friday the Germans were heavily reinforced, and carried on an aggressive offensive for three days. The Germans are in a strong position, whence, it. is difficult to dislodge them, in a wedge based on Thorn and Kalisch, with its apex at Lowic;:. They thus control only a section of the railroads. The Germans lost 100,000 effectives in the battle of Lodz. The Austrians lost 100,000 in coincident operations at Czenstochowa and Cracow. Pctrograd, December 7. Correspondents state that five army corps and five cavalry divisions reached Kalisz from the west from Ist December onwards. The Germans are attempting to hold the centre with two or three army corps, while the Hanks, each consisting of four or five army corps, attempted turning movements. The Russian commanders are glad to fight at a distance- from the German frontier, where strategic railways greatly assist the enemy. Russian soldiers were delighted with the opportunities for hand-fighting with the bayonet, owing to the frost making the Germans' steam plough trench-makers of little use. Many instances are recorded of wonderful .Russian dash and bravery. One regiment -charged a German howitzer battery. Tho centre broke -before the hellish fire, but the flanks cut down the gunners, captured the howitzers, and ■cleared the way for an infantry attack on the village of Knrpin. where the Germans, taking refuge, were burnt alive when the Russian shells set the huts afire. The Siberians marched CO miles to rcacli tiie heights dominating the country south o'f Lodz. Finding the Germans in possession, they gave no time to entrench, but begged their commander to allow them to storm the heights | the same night. The Germans repulsed the first attacks, and attempted the offensive, when the Siberian counteroffensive hurled the Germans from the heights, leaving piles if dead. Lodz has been bombarded for several days and nights. Fighting occurred in the suburbs, in which small bodies of Germans were driven back. A Berlin communique claims that the Germans have occupied Lodz, and that the Russians are retreating, having suffered severe losses. GREAT GERMAX LOSSES. POPULATIOX FLEES FROM CRACOW. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 7, 5.50 p.m. London, December <J. The German losses in five days spent near Lodz are estimated at 100,000. '

Tlie inhabitants of Cracow are fleeing I in groat numbers, and going to Berlin, where their presence is causing discontent anions the working classes. The Germans are believed to be desirous of wintering in their immense entrenched lines, extending from the Vistula to Cracow. CONCERTED IKIVK PROBABLE. HUNGARY UNDEFENDED. FIERCE FIGHTING CONTINUES. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, December 0. The Bourse Gazette, Pctrograd, predicts a concerted movement shortly by the Allies both cast and west,'for, the purpose, of stopping Germany shifting troops between the frontiers. GERMAN TROOPS ASKED FOR. Petvograd, December 8. Owing to the complaints that the Hungarian plains are largely left open to the attacks of the Russians, Hungary has officially requested Germany to send two or throe army eor|is. The'relations between Austria and Hungary are much less cordial. London, December 0. Private messages from Petrograd state that the Germans have withdrawn nine army corps (300,000 men) from France, replacing them with second line troops. The Russians nevertheless hold the Ormaes, keeping them, fighting day and night. The Germans are. seeking to seize Petrokow, where the fighting is extremely violent. The Germans at Cscenstochowa are preparing for a long siege. The town iias been, turned into'a fortress.