RUSSIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1919, Page 5

RUSSIA.

ADVANCE ON PETROGRAD, VICTORY ON DWINA FRONT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.--Copyright. London, August 14. The Archangel army's victory secured over the Bolsheviks on the Dwina front was absolute and complete. The attacking troops marched through foreßts on both banks on a dark night, capturing or avoiding the enemy patrols, and took up positions in the enemy's rear and flank. The first notification the enemy had of their presence was a hurricane of bombardment. from the Russian and British batteries and gunboats. Motor launches, heavily armed,, and machine-guns co-operated. The extreme nobility of the launches was most effective. At all points possible the retreat was guarded by 1 detachments of Russian cavalry. The enemy was completely surrounded and ceased fire. Simultaneously the British advanced on all the villages with the bayonet. There was much hand to hand fighting though many surrendered immediately. Pifteen hundred were taken prisoner at one spot. Many were killed and practically none escaped. Most of the enemy guns and machine-guns were captured. Our casualties, are believed to be of the lightest and all the objectives were reached. There are no enemv troops now north of Kotlas. A further advance is not anticipated. An Esthonian communique states that the Esthonians after violent fighting recaptured Rawnotoka. Chalbin's advance continues on the left bank of the Luga River. Alexandrovicaja was retaken by the bayonet. An enemy battalion has been annihilated.

On the Porohov front we broke through towards Tsarevolv,

A Polish communique states that on the Lithuanian front the enemy continues to retreat in the direction of Beresina. We reached a line 25 kilometres northwest and southeast of Minsk.

The Polish forces have commenced an offensive near Brody and Luck. The enemy is retreating towards the Stubes River.—Reuter. KRONSTADT BOMBED.

ADVANCE ON PETROQRAD SHORTLY.

Received August 17, 5.5 p.m. Helsingfors, August 13. In consequence of General Mannerheim's refusal to retain the supreme command of the army, the Finnish Premier (M. Castren) and several colleagues have resigned.

Pour British aeroplanes to-day bombed Kronstadt, causing extensive fires within the fortress and a great destruction of buildings. It is reported that General Yudenitch is forming a government for North-West Russia with the consent of the Entente Powers, It is expected that Yudenitch will shortly advance on Petrograd, with Ksthonian support.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.