FURIOUS BATTLE FOR THE DNIESTER LINE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2499, 28 June 1915, Page 5

FURIOUS BATTLE FOR THE DNIESTER LINE

SUCCESSFUL ATTACKS BY THE RUSSIANS

ENEMY FORCED BACK ON DIFFICULT GROUND

The High Commissioner reports:—

London, June 25, 3.25 p.m. "In the Kosmierjine district, on the Dniester, south-east of Nizniow, the Russians, taking t'he offensive on Tuesday, approached Mount Bezymiamna, and occupied a strongly fortified position of the enemy. After digging-in, the Russians, at, dawn on Wednesday,' advanced impetuously to assault the mountain, and the enemy, not • caring to face the bayonet attack, fell back in disorder on their second-line works.

"Pressing close on the heels of the enemy, the_ Russians entered these works and bayoneted almost the whole of the garrison which was holding the hill. Two hundred and ten prisoners were taken," "In the direction of Zolkief and Lemberg, cn the evening of Tuesday, and throughout the whole of Wednesday, the enemy attempted an offensive, endeavouring with extraordinary persistence to advance in the direction of the villages at Czijikoreff and Doitrovitze, along the railway from Lemberg to Berezany; thanks to our vigorous counter-attacks these attempts failed. "On the Zuravno-Demeszkovitze front, a desperate battle is in progress, developing at present in the Russians' favour. Enemy Forced to the River. Great German forces crossed to the left of the Dniester on Wednesday morning, and in the Kozary district suffered enormous • losses. They were driven back to the river, and forced to assume the defensive uuder very difficult conditions. Some of their troops crowded the islands in the river, and others clung to the left bank. "Near Marlynovo-Rouzdiamy, the Austrians crossed to the left bank of the Dniester, and were also flung back by a dashing counter-stroke. Their losses on Wednesday inornirfg were 40 officers, 1700 men, of various regiments, who were made prisoners. _ The enemy, is endeavouring to hold the ground and houses close to the rivers, offering desperate resistance. Heavy and light artillery are giving effective support to the Russians." GERMANS ATTEMPT OFFENSIVES IN POLAND CLEARING THE DNIESTER LINE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. June 27, 3 p.m.) Petrograd, June 26. Official.—"The Germans attempted offensives on the Middle Niemen. in the Omuleff and Orjiec Valleys and on the Vistula south of the Pilica. All were repulsed except at Orjiec, where we yielded. "The Germans suffered great losses south of the Pilica, "We drove across the Dniester near Jozary, the unit remaining on our side, and took prisoners on Wednesday, the remnants of the forces which crossed near 51 arinoffstany. Nevertheless, the _ Germans, tlio same evening, attempted to recross near Bukatchevus. Fighting continues."

RUSSIAN CAPTURES DURING THE RETREAT.

(Rec. June 27, 3 p.m.)

London, June 26. The "Daily Mail's" Petrograd correspondent- writes: "During their retreat ill Galiciaj the Russians captured 130,000 prisoners, 300 machine-guns, and 50 guus.

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

(Rec. June 28, 0.30 a.m.)

Petrograd, June 27. Official. The enemy's attempted offensivo at Ormuleff cost him many killed and taken prisoner. . "The enemy assumed the offensive near Prasnysz, and a desperate battle, which developed into bayonet fighting, continues. .... "Our crossfire annihilated a hostile battalion lvhich imprudently approached our entanglements north-westward of Zawiehost, on the left bank of tllfi "During our counter-attacks, supported by an armoured train, in the direction of Zolkieff and Lemberg, we captured 30 officers, 2000 men, and 13 mSC "We S continue to repulse desperate attacks by great Aiistro-Germnn forces between Khodoioff and Halicz. There we took prisoners a thousand of the enemy. "Wc have progressed on the l.miosfor-1 rnth front.

GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE

REVERSE ON THE DNIESTER ADMITTED

(Press Association.)

Amsterdam, June 00. A German communique states that the situation of General von jlackensen's army at Lemberg is unchanged. A portion of General von Linsingen's army was obliged to cross the south bank of the Dniester in tic* of hMjOMiiu Mimtcr-aUuck&i Our attack further up the river is pvoeveesing.

(Rec. Juno 28, 0.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, June 27. 'A Berlin official message states that tho Wurtemburg regiments stormed the Russian positions ill the Oglenda district, northward of Prasnysz, and held them against repeated counter-attacks. They captured 63(5 prisoners, and four machine-guns. . General Linsengen, since June 23, has taken three thousand prisoners. His attack on the northern bunk of tho Dniester is proceeding.

AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. Juiit: 27, 2.30 p.m.) Amsterdam, Juno 26. An Austrian official communique states:—"We repulsed the Russians' counter-attack on the north bank of the Dniester, between Halier ami Zuvavno. Our attack is progressing. We captured Chodoron, north of Zuravno." (Pec. June 28, 0.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, June 27. An .Austrian official communique states. —"Between tho Dniester and the Pruth, General Pflanger was again repulsed, for superior Russian forces broke through at one point, advancing over several lines of trenches at night-time. Reinforcements arrived, and after a severe battle the enemy was cjccted, and several hundreds made prisoner. "The enemy's repeated attack on tho same front was repulsed with heavy losses. The Sixth Honved Hussars and Croatian Landwehr especially distinguished themselves. • "Our allies' troops on the heights north-eastward of Zaravno stormed several villages, and repulsed counter-attacks. "Fighting is developing on the Zawichost-Sienneliza line, in Russian Poland." FIVE AUSTRO-GERMAN CORPS RETURN FROM GALICIA

MEN COMPLETE PHYSICAL WRECKS.

Zurich, June 25. Two Bavarian, two Prussian, and one Austrian Army Corps traversed Vienna from Galicia.

The men were not wounded, but are complete physical wrecks, and require two months to recuperate. According to a competent military source, Germany will be able to place eighteen new army corps in the field it the end of July, composed chiefly ot Second Landsturmers, who have not performed military service, and Inland Reserves. It is calculated that these will tic little more than replace the terrible wastage in Galicia. DISCONTENT IN THE ENEMY'S ARMIES. London, June 25. The Press Bureau at Paris states that prisoners captured in Russia continue to testify as to the discontent in the enemy's armies. The Albanians are ready to surrender at the first 'opportunity. Mutinies in the Czech regiments were punished by military executions. Ruihenian regiments, unable to be reinforced from Galicia, are rapidly dissolving. Hungarian soldiers are desirous of peace. (Rec. June 27, 3.25 p.m.) Amsterdam, June 26. A traveller from Prague states that the strictest censorship is being exercised in Bohemia over the Czech newspapers, which have more blanks than letterpress. The 28th and 102 nd Regiments, stationed at Prague, have been disbanded, several hundred being shot, the accused being the leaders in a movement whereby troops surrendered to the Servians, with quantities of supplies and an enormous amount of pontoon material. Tho Hungarian Laudsturm is now garrisoning Prague (the capital of Bohemia). RUSSIAN wiR MINISTER RESIGNS (Rec. June 27, 3.25 p.m.) Petrograd, June 26. General Suk'homlinoff has resigned from the Ministry of War. It is understood that General Polivanoff, one of his former assistants, will succeed him.

FUTURE OF POLAND UNDER REVIEW

Petrograd, June 25. A commission of six Russians and six Poles, under tho presidency of M. Goremykin (Russian Premier), are studying the restoration of Poland's territorial integrity and autonomy,