RUSSIA'S CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15513, 14 February 1916, Page 7

RUSSIA'S CAMPAIGN.

IN EASTERN GALICIA

FIGHTING- OX THE DNIESTER

AN IMPORTANT SUCCESS

(Bv Cable.—Prec« Association.—Copyright.) PETROGRAI>, February 11. Fuller reports emphasise the importance of the Russian successes at Uscieczko, on the Dniester.

The stronghold was on a high ridge, between the Dniester and the Zurin, near their point of confluence. From the ridge the enemy were able to rake with a galling fire the Russian positions on the east bank. The precipitous slopes of the ridge, covered with dense undergrowth, had been converted into a miniature Gibraltar. The Russians drove in _ numerous sai>s, from which they assailed the enemy with hand grenades, while their batteries poured

in high explosives and shrapnel with unerring precision. The first Russian success was at the end of January, but tho heavily-rein-forced enemy kept the Russians at bay for a -week. Then the Russians won a position enabling heavy guns to bombard the enemy's reserves across the river, and finally, after four days and nights of desperate lighting, tho Russians rushed the bridgehead on Tuesday and crossed the Dniester, though tho opposite bank was equally precipitous and strongly fortified. 11 is reported that General Biilun Krrnolli was wounded in the heavy lighting. was the point of connexion between General von Bothmer's armies, operating to the north of the river, and the armies of General von Pflanzer and the Germans between the Dniester and the Pruth. The Russians have thus thrust a weclgo into two parts of the enemy's armies. Tho Russians are also threatening Czernowitz. Hie plateau to the north-east of Czernowitz is already the scene of strenuous fighting, which is not yet decisive, and is not consequently mention-, ed in the official bulletins. The Russian successes illustrate the unportanee of the recent re-construction or the Kussian artillery. Formerly the German artillery fire overwhelmed the Kussian. but now the German fire is >eateu down. The Russians are pro•v lcJorf with an ample supply of shells guns of the pattern of the French >e\ onty-five?. • These do not require concrete platforms, whereas the Ger™aln.e " re f° rc 'cd to work their guns from only two or three positions, connected laterally by rails, which the Russian gunners readily pick out.

STRUGGLE FOR A HILL

TAIvEX AND RETAKEN

ENORMOUS ENEMY LOSSES

(Received February 13th, 11.5 n.m.) PETROGRAD, February 12. An official communique says :— The enemy at TsebrofF, in Eastern Galieia, at the cost of enormous losses, dislodged our troops from a height which w 0 had occupied. A Russian regiment. by a terrific attack, again captuicd the position. Three/' desperate counter-attacks were repulsed, with further heavy losses to the cnemv."'