Russian Campaign

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 20 February 1915, Page 5

Russian Campaign

AUSTRO-GERMAftiS BEATEN OFF. CZERNOWITZ CLEARED OF ENEMY. Received 10, 11.30 p.m. . London, Fcoruary 19. From Bucharest, Martin Donohoe reports that tlie Russians have beaten oil' the Austro-Germans in the Czernowitz district, which is free of the enemy, who are retiring, i ; DETAILS OF RUSSIAN RETREAT. A DIFFICULT TASK. I OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Received 20, 1.20 a.m. London, February 1!). Telegrams from Petrograd as to the ' events at Czernowitz prior to Mr Donohoe's telegrams, state that the Russians retreated in good order, there being often four feet of snow i n the mountain paths. Tlie Tyrolese by dropping loose rockets harassed the retrcaters, and tho Austrians felled trees across tlie defiles. The Russians overcame enormous difliculties and destroyed all bridges before they evacuated Czernowitz. Petrograd, February 19. Official: The fighting on the Nieiuen and Vistula was continued on the 17th, and reached its maximum stubbornness in the Augustovo region and the ScrplecPlonsk roads. Our detachments at Bukovina retreated beyond Pruth. .._. ; . j SECRECY NECESSARY.

GERMAN MOVEMENT FORESEEN. REASON FOR RETREAT. Received 19, 11 30 p.m. Petrograd, February II). The Official Gazette states that it is necessary to exercise secrecy regarding the East Prussian operations. The German movement was foreseen a fortnight before it occurred, and precautionary measures taken. The Russians retreated in order to tire tlie enemy, and occupi d a concentrated position. GERMAN VICTORY CLAIMED. ' ' Amsterdam, February 18. An official Berlin message says: "We ' took prisoners three thousand men near Plock e"d Raeionz. The booty captured eastward of the Prussian frontier to date consists of 64,000 prisoners, 71 cannon, 100 machine-guns, three amb.ilance trains. 100 full ammunition wagons, and innumerable ears and horses."