Fall of Przemysl

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 244, 24 March 1915, Page 5

Fall of Przemysl

SURRENDER TO THE RUSSIANS. FOOD COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.

REJOICINGS IN PETROGRAD.

Petrograd, aMrch 22. Official.—Przemysl has surrendered to the Russians.

> Petrograd, March 22. There were great rejoicings in the capital when the news of the fall of Przemysl was received. Cheering crowds filled the streets. The Czar attended a To Deum at the headquarters of the Grand Duke Nicholas. Prisoners state that the food was completely exhausted, and the defenders were practically without ammunition.

Prior to the capitulation tho Russians occupied the village of Krassitchine, on the western front, driving the garrison to the line of forts on the whole circumference of the fortress.

WHOLE REGIMENTS WIPED OUT.

AUSTRIANS' LOSSES 55,000.

Petrograd, March 22. Over half the garrison of Przemysl partook in the sortje at dawn on Thursday. It was preceded by a tremendous artillery attaek, wherein twenty thousand shells were thrown daily. The llussians allowed the garrison within a short distance of their trenches, and then guns were brought to bear on them.

The twenty-third Honved division, consisting of four regiments, was wiped out. and six thousand prisoners taken. The Russians throughout determined not to sacrifice lives. Their casualties latterly have been only ten daily. Tlie garrison, estimated at 80,000 in September, i-; only 25.0110 now. GARRISON FIGHTS DESPERATELY.

RUSSIAN GUNS DOMINATE TOWN

100,000 AUSTRIAN? SACRIFICED,

DISEASE RAMPANT

Received March 23, 10.20 p.m,

Petrograd, March 23. The fall of Przemysl came quick after the capture of the hill on Friday, 'nabling the Russian guns to dominate the town.

Tlie iroops making a sortie fought pluckih- and desperately. Tt was evident that the garri-on was too depleted (o defend the. whole twentv-fivo mile peri meter.

The assailants' circle hourly narrowed. Hope of relief had been abandoned since the failure of the Austrinns to expel the Russians from the Carpathians. The Austrians sacrificed 100,000 men in efforts to relieve the place. For a long time bread was scarce in tho town, and towards the end meat failed. All cattle and sheep were slaugiitered and horses killed for food. Disease was rampant, a terrible outbreak of typhoid occurring.

NO FOOD. CITY SURRENDERS THROUGH STARVATION.

RUSSIAN ATTACKS WITHSTOOD.

AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT.

Receixed March 24, 12.5 a.m. Vienna, March 23.

Official: Przemysl has honorably fal-

General Von Kusnanek's last sortie withstood to the utmost in a seven hours' battle, but they were forced to retreat. The Russians attacked the town on several sides on the following night. Their attacks failed, but there was only three days' food left. The con zander gave instructions that at the end of that time the defenders abandon the fortress, after destroying all material, which was done. The fall does not affect the general situation.

Referring to this siege, the military contributor to the Dunediu Star says:— "Overshadowed as it is by more striking things, the Austrian fortress of Przemysl is seldom thought of, hut it is making a long stand, it was isolated about October 14th, so the siege is 153 days old. On November 23rd there was a report that it was exhausted with cholera, and the final- Kussian assault was expected on December Oth, the Feast of St. Nicholas. On December 'jrd the Archbishop of Przemysl described the position of the, city as desperate. Afterwards—on February I'Jth—news came that tinned meat was being thrown into the place by airships, and the expectation of life was another three months. To-day it seems that the Russians are no closer than the village of Marnowiee, which is about six miles from the heart of the town. The village happens to be close to rising ground, so that if the Russians I'ave really got it it should c lie possible to open a bombardment which will toll. The fortress is important in two ways. As long as it stands Poland is still salient for the Russians. Tt also commands a nmnber of roads lending to Cracow on one band to some of the Carpathian passes on th c other. In peace time Przemysl was the headrpiarters of the intli Corps of the Austrian Army: and. prior to thc war, the governor of th.? fortress was n general named Colnrd. Changes, however, may liave taken place since."