RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE DEVELOPS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3127, 4 July 1917, Page 7

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE DEVELOPS

BLOW STRUCK TOWARDS LEMBERG ' BIG* BAG OF PRISONERS TAKEN The High Commissioner Tcports:— London, July 2, 3.20 p.m. A Russian official report states.—"Koniukhy has been takon. We have captured 164 officers and 8400 men." fKoniukhy is a small town twenty-five miles west of Tarnopol, and mid-way between tho Upper Strypa and tho Lemberg-jjrzezany railway.] (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). (Kdc' July 3, 10.50 p.m.) London, July 2. A Russian official report announces tho capturo of Koniukhy, with 161 officers and 8100 men, as the result of an attack- on l the Austro-German positions, after two days' artillery bombardment. We attacked on tho Koniukky-Byshki front, occupied three lines of trenches, took the fortified village of Koniukhy, and advanced as far as the Koniukhy Stream, southward of tho village. Tho prisoners taken here so far are 8501, with seven guus. Wo attacked south-west of Brzozany aiid occupied strong fortified positions which constantly changed hands Germano-Turkish counter-attacks. .Wo captured on this front yesterday nine officers and 1700 men.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutcr. (Rcc. July i, 0.40 a.m.) London, July 2.

A Prussian official report, dated July 1, 6tates: "In the directions of Zolotshow and Brzezany there is an 1 intenso artillery battle." The communique does "not mention tho infantry attacks. "Wo destroyed one of the enemy's trains on the Rumanian front in tho C arpathiaiLS."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reutor. .' ,

■■A WELL-PREPARED BLOW.' ■ ' , (Rec. July i, 0.40 a.m.) Amsterdam, July 2. A dispatch from the Austrian war correspondent at Headquarters -explaining the Russian success states that the Russian offensive was prepared on the most comprehensive lines. There was an unprecedented concentration of artillery, and the attacks were made by well-trained troops of high morale—Aus.-N.Z. "Cable Assn. ' . COMMENTS ON THE STROKE (Rec. July i, 0.40 a.m.) London, July 2. ICouiukhy is thirty miles south ofitho Leniberg-Brody railway, and eight l miles north-east of the Brzezauy district, where the Hoods from the Dnoister and surrounding marshland stopped tho Russian advance in 191 C. Brusiloff's stroke is evidently a shrewd one, as Von Boehm already admits tho loss of Koniukhy. Tho effects of the coup should be quickly felt on, tho-French and Italian iVonts.

M. Marcel Hutin points out that at Hie moment that Von Hindenburj and Von Ludendoril" were visiting Austrian Headquarters and endeavouring to arrange marked differences which 'were dividing the two Kaisers, they are obliged to announce a big Russian offensive, warning the Germans that thcro is no longer any probability of a glorious peace as tho result of Russian defection.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn,

WHAT M. KERENSKI PROMISED THREE WEEKS AGO (Rec. July 3, IUS p.m.) Washington, July 2. It has transpired that M. ICereuski, the Russian War Minister, throe weeks ago informed the United States Government that a Russian offensive would bo made early in July.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

KERENSKI LEADS THE VICTORS. (Roc. July 4, 0.10 a.m.) New York, July 2. A dispatch from Petrograd states that U. Kerenski (War. Minister) personally led the victorious Russians to victory.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A TERRIFIC DRIVE AT LEMBERG HUGE BAG OF PRISONERS REPORTED. ' New York, July 2. ' The "Tribune" announces a terrific Russian drivo in tho direction of' Lemberg.—Renter. ■ l . The Russians have captured 10,173 prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT London, July 2. A German official message states:—"The Russian Government is yielding to pressure by the' Entente Powers, and part of its army has been induced to attack. ' Russian infantry attacks on a front of oiglrteen and a. half miles from the Upper Strypa.as far as the Naraiovka failed with heavy losses. Night attacks on each side of Brzezany and near Zwyzyn broke down. Artillery action extended northwards to tho middle Stochod and southwards to Stanislau.

"The-Russian attacks near Koniukhy and also between tho Zlola laps and tho Naraiovka have occasioned new engagements."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu-'tcr. ...

(Rec. July i, 0.10 a.m.) London, July 2. A German official report, states: "Heavy fighting has occurred between the Upper Str.ypn. and tho east bank of tho Naraiovka. Tho Russian pressure is directed against, tho Koniukhy sector, oast and south of Brzezany. After two days' strong artillery bombardment, the enemy captured Koniukhy. Tho lighting was mostbit.tcr astride Brzezany. We maintained our -positions after a swaying battle and heavy enemy losses. Strong artillery attacks along tho Stochod and Dniester, and an attack northward of tho Kovel-Lusk railway, failed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reulcr.

OPERATIONS. IN ASIA MINOR (Kec. .Tuly 3, 10.50 p.m.) A Russian, official report slates:— _ , London, July 2. "The Turks are retreating to Pendjvin. Our pursuing cavalry occupied ■ Engidja, northward of Lake De.ribar. We also .occupied Kalamirvnn, south-west of Lake D.eribar and villages in the neighbourhood."—Aiis.-N.Z. Coble Assn.Beutor. (Rfc... July i, (Ms a.m.) - ' London, July '2. A. Russian official report. Flal.cs: "The Turks launched a. series of attacks near Bistan. We pursued them north -west •of Sepne, and reached Zcribnr Lake. Wo engaged Ihe enemy who was defending the Pcndirn Eoad."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY .PREPARING AN OFFENSIVE ON THE RIGA FRONT (Ree. July .1, 6.30 p.m.) Pctrogratl, July 2. Though the enemy is bombarding our first line's, small detachments at night, come to tho Russian entanglements and attempt to deliver peace pamphlets and presents of wine a.nd brandy, which the Russians reject. German deserters states that naval operations on .a, grand scalo are being prepared in the Gulf of Riga. Troops from other fronts are concentrating, and formidable trenches a.nd armoured works arc being constructed. Von Hinueriourg and von Ludendorff (his Chief of Staff) urb expected to inspect t.Ee preparations for an attack on the Kiga front in July—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,