Russian Campaign THE GERMAN DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 225, 2 March 1915, Page 5

Russian Campaign

THE GERMAN DISASTER.

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE VIGOROUSLY iPIUSH'ED. RAPIDLY RECOVERING LOST . (GROUND. Petrograd, Feb. 28. Official.—The Germans are on the defensive on almost the wliole front. A battalion, with sappers, advanced in the Bobr Valley. The Russian artillery waited until part of the column hail crossed the river, and then opened fire, annihilating the enemy. A few score of survivors were captured.

Our artillery at Ossowiec successfully engaged the enemy's heavy batteries. Our offensive 'at Przasnysz has been vigorously pushed, and we have recaptured that town. The German retreat extends over a constantly widening front. In some places it is a "disorderly flight, and great numbers are hourly captured. Our cavalry is pursuing the retreaters. Austrian attacks in the Bozinatoff district have been repulsed, and 19 officers and 1595 men captured.

London, Feb. 28. Mr. Donohoe says that the Russians re-captured Stanislavoff on Wednesday at the bayonet's point, after desDerate street fighting. The Austrian* were routed and fled in confusion. The [Russians recaptured Kolomyje, after a severe engagement fifty miles north of Czernowitz, which the Russians are again threatening. A neutral observer writes: "The contrast between Budapest and Vienna is impressive. H Vienna is apathetic and unconcerned, Budapest is alive with activity. The war is papular, and everyone is eager to impress visitors that this is their,war. The fact that they began a conflict which :has become the greatest the world has ever known fills every Magyar's heart with pride, proving that they are the one strong element in the whole Hapsburg realm. That the assassination of the Archduke ffave the Magyars the-opportunity they had long waited for is one of the frrimost travesties in history, necause the greatest relief was felt in Budapest at the removal of tho Archduke, who was the one obstacle in the way of Magyar domination in the dual monarchy. The Tribuna. Rome, estimates that ther e are 000.000 Austrian and German ■prisoner! in Russia, fiO.ooo in Servia, and 350,000 in Franco and England. Petrograd. Feb. 28.

Official.—Since the beginning of the war General Brasiloffs armv has captured IGOO officers and 186.000 men.

GERMANY ADMITS THE DEFEAT. Received 1, 9.15 p.m. •*"""" London, March 1. lAi Berlin official message admits the retreat at Prasnysz before superior Russian forces. RUSSIA RETURNS THE COMPLIMENT. Received 1, 5.80 p.m. Time's and Sydney Sim Services. London, March 1. Petrograd reports that in consequence of the harsh treatment of Russian officers who are prisoners in Germany, Russia has directed that German officers shall be treated similarly. . FIERCE FIGHTING:

PRASNYSZ LOST AND RE-TAKEN. GERMAN GARRISON SURRENDERS. ;Received 1, 9.15 p.m. Petrograd, March 1. Official: Fighting, supported by heavy artillerv, is increasing ■in intensity on the left of the Nieraen: The Russians stormed a height north of Grodno, and captured six guns. / The Germans on Saturday morning ■brought up reinforcements, and re-en-tered Prasnysz. There was a desperate fight all day, and eventually the Russians re-captured the town in flic evening, the Germans who were defending the town laying down their arms. Great numbers of Russians in the Tclietchra valley, without artillery, advanced through a dense forest, forcing their way with rifle-butts and bayonets. The fight resulted in taking prisoners 4000 Austrians.

FURTHER RUSSIAN ADVANCE. THE GERMANS SHORT OF AMMUNI. TION. Beceived ,2. 12.50 a.m. Petrograd, March 1. Official: We assumed the offensive north" of Grodno, and made marked progress in the Prasnyz region. We advanced eleven miles on some sections during the week, capturing villages in rapid succession, and capturing 500 prisoners on one front, and 800 on another.

Each of the German prisoners states that the units were inextricably confused, and that the ammunition supply was dislocated, and often ceased. 1 ' SNOWSTORMS rj? THE I CARPATHIANS. Received 2, 1250 a.m. Vienna, March 1. Snow fell for forty-eight hours in the Carpathians, and brought the fighting to a standstill.