THE RUSSIAN BEAR’S MIGHTY BLOW,

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 4275, 26 June 1916, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN BEAR’S MIGHTY BLOW,

ENEMY REINFORCING AT GREAT RATE.

GERMANS AND AUSTRIANS STARTLED.!

MAGKENSEN SENT TO COMMAND KOVEL SECTOR,

RUSSIANS HELPED OWING TO ABUNDANCE ~.......0 [; MUNmONS

(United Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received June 25, 5 pan.) LONDON. Juno 25.

“Tlio Times’ ” correspondent. at Petrograd says that General Mackensen is reported to have assumed command of the Kovel sector. It is impossible to adopt the famous phalanx formations unless great reinforcements are brought from the French and Italian fronts. The Russian successes are explained by the remarkable increase of production of munitions whereon men and women have worked without a single holiday since the war. PETROGRAD June 2oA communique says: We made a surprise attack on the German trenches in the Illukst region. There was an enemy bombardment at Kiby, on the Berezina, bv a large force. At nightfall we attacked the Berezina farm, routing the enemy, leaving many dead. There was desperate fighting westward of Torcliin. All attacks in the Zubdno district, also south-eastward of Svindiki, were repulsed with heavy losses. A communique says: Heavy fighting is in progress near Oginski canal Enemy attempts to cross the canal failed. _ , There is local fighting on General BrusilofT’s front on old ground and in other districts, notably near Rndziviloff. The enemy continue to receive reinforcements from the French and Italian fronts. _ , The offensive continues in Bukowina. We oceunied Gurahamora and Stridja, westward of Radutz and Cishnitz. THE CAPTURE OF BATTLE IN MARSHY COUNTRY. AUSTRIAN CARRJSON PRACTICALLY WIPED OUT. WOODS THICKLY STREWN WTTH ENEMY DEAD.

LONDON. June 23. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Pc*trograd correspondent sends details or the capture of Svidniki. Tlie Russians opened a bombaui- j nient on the Stokliod line (east o , Kovel) early on the morning of the 16th The Germans anticipated the infantry attacks hy assaulting m dense columns. The Russians fell hack two miles, bringing the enemy under a flanking fire from machine guns. The ground was soon strewn with dead. • The survivors' pressed torn aid. Ten minutes of bayonet work was sufficient to rout the German remnant. , ~ ■ Tlie Russians followed up on their heels and crossed the Stokliod before the Germans had time to destroy tlie bl Armored cars completed the rout. The Russians then prepared to advance on Svidniki. and were faced with extreme difficulties on account of marshv ground. . , They waded chest-deep m the mud. tin dor heavy artillery and machinegun fire, carrying their own machineguns, rifles, and ammunition on their heads and shoulders. Every wounded or unwary Russian was swallowed in i the pitiless bog. . The Russians reached firm ground after floundering in the nyre. and charged the village with the bayonet. Two German Landwehr regiments holding the village fought bravely, barricading tlie cottages and mounting machine-guns'on the roofs and at the windows. Every building had to he stormed. The garrison was practically wiped out. The Germans recaptured the village temporarily, and the Russians rcstormed it and took prisoner several hundred. The Germans used a new shell with, a double explosion, nicknamed “The Orphans” by the Russians, owing to its wailing sound in the air. The Russians counted 500 German dead on the Stokliod bridge. All the woods near Svidniki wore thickly strewn with dead. Great numbers were swallowed up in the swamps.

RUSSIA OFFERS ROUMANIA

OZERNOWITZ

IF SHE SIDES WITH THE

ALLIES

RUSSIANS’ GRAND CAVALRY CHARGE. STIRRING INCIDENTS RECALL NAPOLEONIC ERA. MANY FALL IN THE MAD CAREER. CIVILIANS TAKE REFUGE IN PITS. LONDON. Juno 23. ‘•The Times’ ” correspondent at Pctrograd states that numerous stirring incidents of the offensive of the cavalry have recalled the Napoleonic One instance is reported in the Strvpa region. Russian cavalry forced a stream -with unexpected rapidity. The Hungarians had no time to destroy a bridge and hurriedly retreat. o d. The following morning the Russians awaited the arrival of an infantry brigade, and then attacked in echelon formation. Dragoons leading, and Hussars and Ural Cossacks following. The regimental colonel, adjutant, chaplain and standard hearer headed the ch rage. ' After the chaplain had blessed the men squadron after squadron charged until the fields were covered with hundreds of horsemen, lance’s unsheathed, and sabres glistening. -Many fell in the mad career. The Hungarians sent three battalions to take the cavalry in the rear, but the Russians had posted Dragoons with Maxims, which mowed down dense masses of the enemy, as they emerged from a copse. The Hungarian infantry fought bravely, seizing the lances of troopers, but the charge was a complete success. Two thousand of the enemy were taken prisoner.

(Received June 25, 5 p.m.) Correspondents at the front are agreed that artillery was the decisive factor in the Russian offensive, successfully followed by cavalry. _ The latter played a brilliant part in a hard-fought engagement in the Lutsk region. A battle for the crossing of a river at Sokol was undecided at midnight, when a force of cavalry was sent a distance up the river where the fords and bridges were in Russian hands and crossed. By riding hard ft got behind the enemy, and at dawn awaited until the Austro-German infantry moved forward. The cavalry immediately charged in their rear, cutting down Igrge numbers. Many surrendered. Stragglers alone escaped. The main Russian body thereupon pushed the enemy from Galvi, within 20 miles of Kovel. Vivid pictures are given of the wretched inhabitants in an extensive war zone living in holes scooped in the ground, hoping to escape the bullets and bursting shells. TRYSNG TO SAVE KOVEL. GREAT RUSH INTO THE AUSTRIAN BREACH. !MADEQUATE HUN TROOPS FOR BIG OFFENSIVE. RUSSIAN ADVANCE STILL PROCEEDING. PETROGRAD, June 23. The Russian thrust towards Kovel lengthened the German line by 50 miles at the moment that the enemy was trying to hold the lines with minimum forces. The Russian advance has caused unusual German activity. They have rushed into the Austrian breach in Volhynia. They are also persistently attacking on the northern front, especially the Sinorgon sector, which covers the approaches to Vilna. The Germans do not possess sufficient troops for a big offensivo at this point, and the attacks are intended to prevent the removal of Russians southward. The Germans are energetically endeavoring to check General Kaledin’s advance towards Kovel, but General Kaledin is pushing his successes on an extended front of four miles northward of Gaidomichi, upon the Styr, where the Russians forced the crossing. The Germans, after a hard fight, compelled the Russians to abandon the village of Gruziatin. "'Although General Kaledin was temporarily checked, his troops are putting the Germans to flight, indicating that the Russian advance has not stopped. General Lecliitskev crossed the Sereth, and continues to drive General Pflanzer to the Carpathians. AMSTERDAM. June 25. An Austrian communique states that the Russians in Czermvimas Valley are advancing towards Kuty. We repulsed severe attacks south-east and north of Radzieviloff, and repulsed the Italians south-east of Orzli. Enemy attacks on the Dolomite front failed.

AN UNOFFICIAL REPORT.

(Received June 25, 5 p.in.) BUCHAREST, June 25. A corresnondcnt of the “Icleanazionale” says that Russia has offered Czeraowitz to Roumania is she sides with the Allies. LATEST NEWS. POSITION OF PFLANZER’S ARMY LEFT WING ALONE FORMIDABLE.

(Received June 25. 11.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD. June 25. A communique states: By the occupation of Garahcmora General Lctehetsisky jammed a portion of Pflanzer’s right wing against the Roumanian frontier. The Austrian left wing strongly bolds Kolomea, the only remaining link between enemy's Galician and Bukovinian forces. Latest reports are Unit Pflanger’s centre continues flight to yards the Carpathian passes. We captured: Kutz yesterday. (Received June 25, 11.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, June 25. An Austrian communique says: jOur encircling movement forced the Russians to abandon Kutz. Russian attacks north-west of Tarnapol also near Radzivilofl: were ropulsed. The Austro-Germans bad advanced northeast of Goroehoff and north-west and west of Torqzyn. Our torperdoers bombarded the Italian coast near Quilionova, partially destroying a train.

BRITISH AIR SERVICE.

GRAVE CHARGE BY MR. BILLING, M.P.

(Received June 25, 3.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. Mr Billing, M.P., at the air inquiry alleged that a naval airman who assisted an officer of the R-oyal Flying Flying Corps, who had fallen into the sea was reprimanded by his commanding officer, who said the Royal Flying men had no right to Ily oversea and added: ‘ ‘lf they fall in let them drown.” He ordered the aviator six days extra because he seemed so l'ond of work.

Mr Billing added that on one occasion of the Zeppelin raid many aviators were ordered to go up.- Scvcntyfivo per cent were killed and many machines smashed. (Received June 25, 7 p.m.) At the inquest it was shown that Aimer suddenly swerved and wobbled and crashed vertically. The verdict was one of accidental death.