HORRORS OF FIGHTING IN POLAND

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1914, Page 7

HORRORS OF FIGHTING IN POLAND

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES THE MEN ARE CHILLED TO THE BONE (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) (Received November 2, 8 a.m.) * . LONDON, 31st October. An early winter, with heavy rains, sleet, and snow, is adding to the horrors of the fighting in Poland. The t mud in the trenches reached the knees of the men, who were forced to remain inactive, chilled to the bone. South of Warsaw the ground is so soft that the guns and transport wagons constantly stick, and many have to be abandoned. (Press Association.) N HARD WORK IN EAST PRUSSIA rt _ . . TT , PETROGRAD, 31st October. ■Official.— Hard fighting continues in EastJPrussia, persistent German attacks being repulsed. The Russians arc pressing the German rearguards on a. front extending from Lodz to Zawichost, at the junction of the San and the Vistula (about 100 miles). The Russians capturod some parks of heavy guns and a number of aeroplanes. IMMENSE RUSSIAN ARMY (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) „ x , a, . . LONDON, 31st October. Regarding the fighting in Poland, it is stated that an immense Russian army has crossed the Vistula and deployed on the entire front. It has closed both ends of the Radom Forest, forcing thousands of Germans into positions where they probably must capitulate. (Press Association.) HUNGARY FLOODED WITH WOUNDED v T7 . ,_ , L . PETROGRAD, 31st October. Vienna and Budapest telegrams state that the whole of Hungary is flooded with wounded, showing the sanguinary character of the fightine on the Vistula. Several Hungarian townß have protested against billeting more wounded, declaring that it is impossible to house and nurse them owing to lack of room and attendance. At Vienna the schools, hotels; public offices, and churches are being transformed into hospitals. \ . PRISONERS ABANDONED . , • ROME, 31st October. A message from Petrograd states that the Austro-Germans, in retreating, abandoned many prisoners. The inhabitants of Poland are destroying bridges and impeding the retreat. Two million Russian troops are following the retreating armies. ° ' FIVE DAYS 1 FRUITLESS ATTACKS (Received November 2, 9.30 a.m.) nmt . , „ , rt , PETROGRAD, Ist November. . Official — A German attempt on the East Prussian front to break through the centre of a fortified position near Bakalarzevo (on the frontier, west of Suwalki) failed, after five days' fruitless attacks. The Germans suffered tremenclops losses. Large heaps of dead are fronting our trenches. We are advancing in several districts on the East Prussian front > „"? lv ? ussian ? beyond the Vistula are firmly occupying the position Lenevies ( ?)-Lodz-Ostrowiec. "The situation in Galicia is unchanged." [Lenevies is not shown on the maps* but the name probably represents Leczy, a town twenty miles north-north-west of Lodz. Ostrowi'ec is, northwest' of the junction of the San and Vistula, and eight miles north of Opatow. Another message states that the Russians hold Radom, go that tho line is, roughjy, » large arc, curving northward and vyeatward.]

WESTWARD OF WARSAW (Received November 2, 8.50 a.m.) * AMSTERDAM, Ist November. Official from Berlin.— "The situation westward of Warsaw is still undecided. The Russians are slowly pursuing us. We are still drawing up in battle array." BOMBARDMENT OF NOVOROSSISK (Received November 2, 9.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Ist November. The Turkish cruiser Hamidieh's bombardment of Novorossisk lasted for three hours. She flew the Russian flag as she approached the town. She fired two. hundred shells, mostly against the petroleum tanks, merchantmen, and grain elevators. The Turks fired a hundred shells at Theodosia. [Novorossisk is on the coast of Circassia, seventy miles south-east of the entrance to the Sea of Azov.] GERMANS TO RETIRE FROM POLAND COPENHAGEN, 30th October. It is reported from Berlin that the German General Staff has decided that tlie army in Poland will retire upon the Silesian frontier, and remain on the defensive until Calais has been taken, three or four army corps being transferred to Belgium. The Prime Minister has received the following message from the High Commissioner :—: — LONDON, 31st October. Reliable. — The Germans are evacuating Poland, and have abandoned many Russian prisoners. The entire army appeared to be demoralised. It is estimated that three million Russian troops are marching after the Austro-German forces. \ FROM RUSSIAN HEADQUARTERS The following message has been received by the Prime Mihister from the High Commissioner in London :—: — , LONDON, 31st October. Official. — Communication from the Russian headquarters relative to the operations between "Warsaw and , Skiernewice : — The Russian river line of defence ran along the Niemen, Babr, Nartw, the Middle Vistula, and the San. The Germans had not previously tested the strength of the centre of this line. Russian reports so far issued have spoken only of a northern and southern front. The Germans advanced principally from the south-west. They reached a line south-east of Clone and Prasskow, and were within six miles of Warsaw. German aeroplanes dropped bombs in Warsaw, killing 100 persons. The brunt of the defence fell on two Russian corps, especially on 6 containing Siberian troops, which had to oppose three German corps. Splendid work was done at Prusskow and Ralritima. The Germans, covered by a wood and gardens, delayed the Russian advance; they placed machine guns on the roof of a church. The Siberians long refrained from returning fire from the church. Their regiment lost a colonel and many officers, and 275 men, but held good till reinforced. Several Russian .corps arrived, and drove the Germans back ; the rearguard engagement, lasting eighteen days. . Another regiment distinguished itself at Caaimiers^by a, brilliant bayonet attack. They drove tke enemy through a wood, inflicting heavy loss. The Germans retired rapidly southwest. The country west and south of Lomicz and Skierniwice was recovered. The Germans seized provisions and some valuables, but the country was not devastated. The population aro strongly for Russia, and are offering every service to the Russian soldiers. Great enthusiasm prevails at Warsaw in striking difference to the attitude before the war and the Grand Duke*s appeal. The Germans, when retiring, demolished bridges, railways, and stores. Every sign was shown of a deliberate and well-executed retreat. Less prisoners were taken than in the case of the Austrians. The Russian artillery worked with great precision and effect, and the Russian infantry attacked throughout. There is no sign of a further German aggressive movement on this side before winter, but there is always the possibility of an early conflict to the southward, where the Russians need to secure and complete their conquest of Galicia.' The enemy must guard the base of joint action between Germany and Austria.