IN THE CAUCASUS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1916, Page 5

IN THE CAUCASUS.

Recent Rvssian news contains the gratifying report that a Turkish force of four divisions (probably about 40,000 active troops) lias been defeated in the direction of Mosul. This is a success of considerable importance, for it represents the beating of the main Turkish army in Upper Mesopotamia. Mosul, on the Tigris, about 200 miles above Bagdad, is a highly important strategic point on the route of the Bagdad railway, and has long been the objective of a Russian expedition from the neighborhood of Lake Urmiah, in north-west Persia. The battle is not located, but it is probably in the neighborhood of the Persian frontier. The Turks recently developed an offensive in the region of Lake Van. which is about 200 miles north-west of Mosul, nnd indicted a heavy, set-back upon the Russians to the westward of the lake, iu the upper basin of the East Euphrates. Mush and Bitlis were recovered by this offensive, but the Russians now report a recovery, and state that their offensive is developing. It is stated that the Turkish offensive plan, intended to break the Russian advance (from Erzerum) upon Krzingan, is breaking down. The rapid movements of the Russian main army upon the Erzerum-Trebizoiul road and the advance towards Erzingan have temporarily been suspended, but the revival of Russian offensive fighting in the southern regions may have an early effect upon the Causacian forces, and enable them to make a fresh start. 1