A HELLISH STRUGGLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 171, 28 December 1914, Page 5

A HELLISH STRUGGLE.

RIVER DAMMED WITH DEAD. London, December 20. The Daily Chronicle's Warsaw corre. spondent gives further details of the fighting on the Bzura. The Germans, on the l!)th, made desperate night attempts to establish a footing on the eastern bank. Though searchlights were playing, and the fire from the Russian trenches mowed down lines of the enemy's ranks, I (lie Germans dashed into the icy, bullei-' whipped water, which reached to their armpits. Only once did they reach the easleni bank. The rest of the attackers suffered immense losses. Sometimes a whole battalion was blotted out in a quarter of an hour. General Madritzoff, who made his reputation in the Japanese war, com-' manded the Russians in this region. ■The fighting reached its climax on the 20th, when a second German attack succeeded in dragging several mitrailleuses into position and enfilading the trenches of the First Siberians, and captured the tr r he ,- ~ „ «., -*■ B=cjßaßno 1 wo hours later the Siberians were reinforced, re-took the trenches, and drove the Germans into the river. They fought hand.to-hand in the water, each side receiving reinforcements. The river, which was fifty yards wide, was literally dammed with corpses, and struggling wounded were drowned, entangled among the dead. A SIBERIAN ONSLAUGHT. WURTEMBURGERS WIPED OUT. AUSTRO.GERMAN 'PRISONERS, 350,000. London, December 20. Router's Petrograd correspondent reports that the Siberians, on the 19th, almost wiped out seven battalions of the Wurtoniburgors, who were attempting to cross where the Rawka enters Bzura. The Germans loft 1200 dead on the field after the Siberians' bayonet attack on the 21st. Spoils captured at Mlava include many waggons of Christmas presents for the [ Germans. Petrograd, December 20. Official: The situation on the Vistula is unchanged. All clay and night attacks in the district from Sochaehewa to Bolimow were repulsed. Fighting continues on the banks of the Pilica. Two infantry regiments, with the greatest bravery, among the spurs of the Carpathians, crossed the Jasioltta up to their waists in water, under a murderous fire, and dislodged the Austrians with the bayonet, making prisoners of 154. ' j The total German prisoners in Russia ' on December 23rd were 1140 officers, 131,737 men, and the 'Austrians, 3180 officers and 211,447 men. GERMAN OFFENSIVE CEASES. _ DESPERATE FIGHTING ON THE NIDA. Received 28, 12.5 a.m. London, December 27. A German official wireless admits that the German attacks on the Bzura have ceased. Petrograd, December 27. . Five German aeroplanes bombed, Sochoczew, killing eight, wounding a hundred, and igniting many houses, i They destroyed the market place. Official: In desperate fighting on the lower Nida, a further 4000 Austrians were captured. Fighting along the whole front in Galicia is favorable to the Russians. FIGHTS WITHOUT CEASING. SERIOUS BREACH OF THE GERMAN LINE, London, December 25. The Daily Chronicle's Warsaw correspondent says the battle of Bzura is ' raging unceasingly. It recalls the Yser in its terrible slaughter. The Russians ; and Germans are strongly entrenched on opposite sides of the river. The Germans make incessant attacks in close formation, seeking to crush the Russians by sheer 'weight of numbers. -6o far the German charges -have always been driven back with, heavy loss. The Russians continue their dashing counterattacks, an outstanding example being one by tlie Siberians at Sochaczew, on Sunday, when tfhe Germans abandoned five machine-guns and two aeroplanes. The scene of the fighting was a flat expanse, of damp fields. There was no ( snow, but there was a bleak wind, and much water in the trenches. The authorities at-Petrograd attach much inmortance to the Russians making a serious breach i n the German line on the Pilitza. THE AUSTRIAN FORCES. SUCCESS AND REPULSE. Received 28, 12.5 a.m. Amsterdam, December 27. An official message from Vienna states that the Austrians captured Uszok Tass. The Russians' superior force recaptured Krosno and Yaslo. A VALUABLE FIND. Petrograd, December 25. The Government confiscated the Warsaw gasworks belonging to a German Company. They Sound 000.000 roubles in Hie safe, evidently stored up fa.' transmission to Germany. A bomb exploded outside the Britisi Legation, and wrecked the neighbouring shops, killing the owner. The motive is unknown. THE DRINK THAT GINGERS YOU UP! That's Camroc Dry Ginger A!el It is warming in winter and cooling in summer. Its liealthfulncss and purity is guaranteed—even the water is first carefully purified. Drink Camroc Dry Ginper Ale —always! M TRIED A SAMPLE. "Some years ago I was subject to biliousness from which I could get no relief," says_ Mr W. G. Miller, Grocer, Lindfield, N.b.vv. "I was given a sample of Chamberlain's Tablets and a few hoe" after taking them a" trace of biliousness was completely gone. »tYhenera there hoc been a recurrence

BKITAIN?pfAVAL SUPiBEMAOy •' AnIKNaWUSOGED; ' —-» \\ ,' 'Amsterdam, DeieniW $&.( In noting the likelihood of a ■' famine nt Germany,'a newspaper comin.'lit-, thai '.England will never *be forgnen for her murder of Germany's shipping trade. Germany docs not deny that she has heen struck to the heart by the power of Britain's fleet." AUSTRO-GERMAN LOSSES. TffliEfi AND A HALF MILLIONS. Deceived 27, 5.30 p.m, Copenhagen, December 26. Estimates .based on the lowest casualty lists show that the Germans sheave lost two million killed, wounded and ■missing, including 54,000 officers, and that tlie Austrians have lost a mißion and a half. A SOCIALIST'S PUNISHMENT. London, December 25. Following upon (his protests in the (Reichstag Lieh Kneclit has been incorporated in one of the army units, this being thought an easier method of closing his mouth than a liigh treason trial. TELLING TOO MUCH. COLONIAL TROOPS SURPRISE GERMANY. Amsterdam, December 25. The North German Gazette's issue of December 12th was confiscated because it published resolutions of the Braudenburg Chamber of Agriculture, stating that the shortage of saltpetre was imperilling the production of ammunition and explosives. Copenhagen learns from. Berlin that the transport of British and Colonial troops to France is subject to constant speculation, the Germans frequently discussing the probable number that it is possible to be brought to the front, remarking that latterly a considerable increase of freights is believed to be due to the extensive transport of British troops, the Government having chartered a groat number of steamers. An increase is noticeable also in the remote oversea ports. The conclusion is drawn that the transport of troops from far distant colonies is anticipated. Professor Schiomann, of Berlin, says that notwithstanding their boasting the English have been seized with fright. The spectre of invasion torments them. A FUTILE DENIAL. Paris, December 25. Dr. Bethmann-Hollweg, the Chancellor, has circularised the German diplomats abroad, denying M. Viviani's assertion that Germany might have presented war on the 31st July.