APPALLING EFFECT OF RUSSIAN FIRE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6710, 12 June 1916, Page 3

APPALLING EFFECT OF RUSSIAN FIRE.

Enemy Trenches Wrecked and Full of Dead. Rec June 12, 9 a m Petrograd, June 11 The first of the Russian wounded have reached Odessa. They speak with glowing enthusiasm of the havoc wrought by the Russian artillery on the Austrian defences, followed by onslaughts by masses of cavalry throwing the retreating enemy iuto hopeless confusion. The enemy abandoned his wounded and whole regiments surrendered. The railways are blocked with trains conveying prisoners and trophies, including big guns and aeroplanes. Captured baggage trains are used to convey the Austrian wounded. Several thousand

prisoners have arrived at Kieff. Fifteen thousand prisoners are at; Khotin, including German staft officers. An appalling Russian gunfire opened simultaneously on an enire battle front. The orders for attack reachei the trenches on June 3, and wei« hailed with unbounded joy by the troops. The artillery opened on the same day and continued until mid-day on the 4tb. The- infantry then attacked, and found the first, secoud and third enemy lines in ruins and full of dead. The succeeding lines were defended with machine gun?, fire squirts and mines. Many mines were exploded under the Russians, but the latter were irresistible. Most of the Austriaus refused to face the bayonet and surrendered.