HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE VILIA RIVER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 226, 22 September 1915, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE VILIA RIVER.

GERMANY'S GREAT CAVALRY RAID ON MINSK. . ■ — FIFTY THOUSAND HORSEMEN MOVING EAST. PETROGRAD, September 21/ A communique states: "The Russians reoccupied their former trenches at Eteidern, south-west of Illutsk, seizing a quantity of rifles and--materials. "We retired eastward in the Vilna region after much fighting on the Middle Vilia fords. Fighting continues for the possession of the Vilia forde north-west of Molock-cbno. Our troops show high military virtue*, maintain coolness and assurance under circumstances of extreme gravity. "Our cavalry pursued the retreating enemy in the Lusk region, near the ,Galician border, sabring many, and capturing a large supply column. It is unofficially stated that before leaving Vilna the Russians stripped (he city of nil metals, including church bells. They defended the city until, the laet possible moment. They are now fighting between the Vilia and the Vilna-Lida railway, which runs directly south from Vilna. German cavalry • has been repulsed' from Molodechno, but has seized the station at Vileika, east of Vilna. It is feared that if the German cavalry fails to cut off the Russians retreating from Vilna then it will attempt a bigger enterprise against Minsk, south-east of Vilna, threatening the communications of all the armies on the western front. The movement of 50,000 horsemen recalls the great cavalry raids of the American Civil War. The Struggle is entering a new phase in Swampy land, under autumn rains. Ivanoff is prudently suspending along the River Scrcth owing to the enemy being reinforced from sections of General yon Jlackensen's widely-scattered army. Mr Stephen" Washburn, special correspondent of the "Times" with .the Russian Army, states that the fall of Vilna will not permanently effect the eastern campaign. The military authorities at Petrograd support this view. It is officially stated that the Russians captured 70,000 prisoners on the eoufcbern front during tbe'laet days of the. Russian August and the beginning Of September.