Eastern Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 5 January 1915, Page 5

Eastern Campaign

BIG BATTLE ENDED. GERMANS EVERYWHERE REPULSED. A SIBEUMN NIGHT ATTACK. DIPOKTANT RAILWAYS CAPTURED. PEOPLE FLEE FROM lIUXGARY. Received 4, 11.30 p.m. Pctrograd, January 4. Experts consider the battle on the four rivers is virtually ended. The enemy lias been everywhere repulsed, with heavy losses. They continue the attack, but arc trying to gain time, pending new operations. Jtuch hand-to-hand lighting lias occurred in the last few weeks, and the Russians were invariably superior. Forty Siberians crossed the Bzura at Sochaczew by night, with mulTled paddles. They crawled through a wood, and through the German lines, and ignited a suburb whence the guria had given a lot of trouble. The Germans in a cottage commenced firing, whereupon the Siberians stormed the cottage, and killed every German. The Siberians had li dozen casualties. The Germans vainly bombarded a certain position for several days, and ultimately ceased firing. Tile Russians also ceased. Ambulance brigades, in Russiai) uniform, headed by a priest, bearing a cross, and accompanied by bare-headed soldiers, appeared on the battlefield. The Russians left their trenchees. Suddenly the ambulance men, who were Germans disguised, poured in a devastating ma-chine-gun fire, killing many. The Russians now hold the strategic railways connecting Bukovina, in Western Galicia, with Hungary, and are within a hundred miles of Hungary over easy passes in the Carpathians. Thirty thousand panic-stricken inhabitants of Bukovina and Transylvania (led to Roumania.

A FORCE ANNIHILATED. A FORCE ANNIHILATED. RUSSIANS RE-CAPTURING TRENCHES. Received 5, 1.5 a.m. Petrograd, January 4. Official: A fierce artillery duel occurred' on the whole of the Vistula front. The enemy's attempt to advance at some points on the Bzura failed. Several hundred Germans were outflanked and annihilated at Koslowisupi, oil the Bznia. In an all-night fight north-east of Rawa we re-occupied the trenches captured by the enemy. The lAustrians are retreating in the Uzok Pass region, abandoning much material.

AID FOR THE AUSTRIANS,

MUST HOLD CRACOW AT ALL COSTS. GERMAN REINFORCEMENTS DEFEATED. Received 5, 1.25 a.m. Petrograd, January 6. The Prussians and Bavarians sent aid to the Austrians, who were ordered to hold their ground, protecting Cracow at all costs. Meanwhile feverish preparations continue at Cracow. The Austrians declare that if they are unable to hold the fortress they will blow up the city. The Russians between Vlotsova and Kielce intercepted Germans hurrying from Skierniewece to assist the Austrians. The Russians retired owing to the fierceness of the attack, but later returned and charged, and surprised and overwhelmed the" Germans, inflicting heavy losses, and taking many prisoners.

AUSTRO-GERMAN FORCE DIVIDED. Petrograd, January 3. A German aeroplane was brought down at Wystergrad, on the Vistula, on Friday, and two aviators captured. London, January 3. The Morning Post's Petrograd correspondent says that the fighting at Bolimoff, Poland, ended disastrously for the Germans. The Russians split the Austrian and German armies in West Galicia into three sections.

RUSSIANS IN HUNGARY.

A SUCCESSFUL INVASION. AUSTRIAN REINFORCEMENTS SENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 4, 5.40 p.m. London, January 4. In Rome, official circles are convinced that the Russian invasion of North-East ■Hungary is the successful accomplishment of Grand Duke Nicholas' longcherished plans. Reinforcements are being rushed up to the front, in the desperate hope of clie king the invaders.

OFFICIAL NEWS. The Premier has received the following from the High Commissioner:— London, January 4, 0.20 p.m. Petrograd reports that on the Bzura and the Rawka the Russians continue to repulse attacks. Near the Uzok Pass the Austrians' positions were taken. The retreat of tho Austrians from Etikovina is becoming a rout. Fierce fighting against tho Turks at Snrykamysh continues.