RUSSIA'S TASK.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 August 1915, Page 5

RUSSIA'S TASK.

THE GREAT RETREAT. VIVID ACCOUNT OF REARGUARD FIGHT. G-ASSES RECOIL ON THE USERS. Turin, August 20. 'Signer Pisani, the correspondent of the newspaper Stampa with the Russian armies, in a graphic narrative of the rearguard light towards Lublin, said the enemy I'ortified himself at every step of ,the advance until the German and Russian trenches were only 3000 yards apart, The Russian centre stood iii the fields of Wilkolaz, southward of the railway, their right stretched along the Ugcnova River, and their left, preserving an opportune freedom of movement was able to converge on the river, along two parallel lines formed by the Krasnik Road and the course of the Bysrtricza.

The Germans concentrated all their force on the common centre, the- Kenasik Road, 'because the lack of any other road, impeded the gunners, who were directly sustaining the wing of their fronts, for five hours by a iievce artillery duel, directed at .demolishing each others' 'batteries. The Russian right wing, was entrenched within eleven yards of the river and the soil was saturated byi water, so the men were soon immersed to their waists, tout not a soul quitted his post. On the left, near the deep »nd treacherous post at Bystricza, the Bavarians, despite terrible losses. from machine-guns, continually advancing and attempting to force a passamfinally threw forward a section behind a hillock onlv 150 yards away, which hid them from the Russian fire. While the Russians were regulating their fire, a Russian officer leapt from the first trench with a number of men shielding their faces with their hands and falling forward. The Germans were pouring new poison gases of a composition unknown. Masks were useless, and as the poisonous vapours invaded the trenches the Russians dropped in files with blackened faces. The left wing was driven to abandon its position and a Bavarian regiment wheeled forward, flung a 'bridge across the river and occupied the trenches. Suddenly the wind veered and the enemy's barbarous weapon recoiled upon himself, tllp r poison soon sufl'oeatirig the Germans, and the Austrian reinforcements were, .obliged to fall back. The Russian left wing reformed, buoyed with fresh courage. A shell smashed the bridge, leaving the Bavarians isolated, and the Russian advanced with the bayonet through the trenches, wnerc thev found many of their comrades who had fallen fainting from the effects of the gas fumes mercilessly massacred by the Austrians. The carnage lashed the Russians info furv ami they! pursued the Bavarians to the Bystricza river-bed. Vainlv the enemy called for pity. The lfft bank was swept clean in a few minutes. The so-called Siberian regiments were in reality largely Poles, who crossed by a ford near Larnveck and by n superhuman cll'ort routed the enemy. RUSSIAN FUGITIVES. FLYING BEFORE GERMANS. Pctrograd, August 29. The number of refugees Hying before the Germans is estimated at six millions.

GERMAN PROGRESS. GERMAN OFFICIAL RiEPORT . Amsterdam, August 20. A German communique states:—The enemy's stubborn resistance south-east-ward of Kovno was broken and we arc pursuing l the Russians. We crossed the forest district eastward of Augustowo. We reached the Dombrowo-Grodck-Na-rewka line, and also a sector eastward of the town of Narew. Prince Leopold is pursuing the cnemv through the Bialowwieskt forest. General von Mackenscn has pushed the enemy to the vicinity of Kobrin.

THE RUSSIAN PLAN. TRANQUIL RETREAT TO BE CONTINUED. Received August 30, 5.j p.m. London, August 2-9. The Daily Telegraph's Petrograd correspondent *is authoritatively informed that the Russian retirement will be continued with deliberation and tranquility until it has reached an undisclosed position, whereon it has been decided to firmly stand. It is admitted that resistance at Vilna, Grodno, and Bielostok will only be made until evacuation is completed. AUSTRIAN REPORT. Received August 30, 0.10 p.m. Amsterdam, August 30. An Austrian communique states: Our successes at Wladimir, Wolynski, and Zlotalipa broke the enemy's resistance on a 'iSO-kilometre front. Everywhere the Russians are retreating, burning the vil-. lages. The numlxn- of prisoners has increased to ten thousand. General Ermolli occupied Zloczow after it had been iired by the Russians. RUSSIAN VERSION. .Received August 30, 0.10 p.m. Petrograd, August 30. A communique says: The enemy sout'iwa.rd of Wladimir and Wolynski is attempting to turn our right fiank. W" have ehaaiged our position, under cover of fighting, to the north-westward of Lutsk.'