RETREAT FROM VILNA.

Evening Star, Issue 15916, 23 September 1915, Page 3

RETREAT FROM VILNA.

TOUGH AND GO. RUSSIANS EXTRICATE THEMSELVES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, September 21. M. Madand, a military correspondent, says the Russians retreating from Yilna have escaped being encircled. The situation was momentarily disquieting, but is now good. Owing to desperate rearguard fighting, the retreat via the Lida railway route and thence along the Minsk line ip being carried out under favorable conditions. THE REARGUARD ACTION. GERMAN TROOPS’ FATIGUE. THEIR FINE EQUIPMENT. PETROGRAD, September 22. . General Von Hindenburg’s trap is closing, but too late. The enemy forced, their way o0 miles down the VUna-Lida railway to Biniaconi, but the Russians, by driving back the invaders from Molodetchno, bi’oadened the passage, thereby effecting a retirement. A fierce battle for the crossing of the Yilia is proceeding. Tile bulk of General Yon Eichom’s artillory and infantry', after terrible losses, has halted at Yilna, The German infantry present a'pitiable spectacle—bearded anil round-shouldered, they are hardly able to move under their equipment, but the number of artillery and machine guns is impressive. liven the cavalry and motor cyclists are supplied with machine guns. General'Eussky, by a systematic scheme of rearguard actions, slowed up the German advance on the Dwina, and the enemy are now reduced to a costly series of attacks upon trenches. , There is every sign of an early winter. The country is already swept *by cold, raw winds. THE CENTRE. AMSTERDAM, September 21. A German communique states that General Von Eichom’s troops, progressing north-westward and south-westward of Oschmjaho, reached the region eastward of Lida, south of Yilna. Prince Leopold forced the passage of the Molezady, southward of Dwohzec and further south, where he reached the line southward of Mole-zady-Nowayamysch. and westward of Ostrow. SOUTHERN WING. PETROGRAD, September 22. A communique states: There has been heavy bayonet fighting east of Lutsk. The enemy at Beresovka and Rostold reached our trenches, but were expelled with great losses. We counter-attacked the enemy’s flank, and the Austrians were unable to withstand our charge. All were bayoneted or taken prisoner.