THE EASTERN SITUATION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 29 September 1915, Page 5

THE EASTERN SITUATION.

VIOLENT FIGHTING.

RUSSIAN REPORTS FAVORABLE

GENERAL MACKENSEN'S FORCES

IN BANGER OF BEING SURROUNDED.

PETROGRAD, Sept. 28. Fighting of extraordinary violence prevails round Dvinsk. Our cavalry defeated a strong enemy column near Lake Tchichary. Strong enemy artillery forced the Russians back to the lake district, which is a veritable labyrinth. The Russians fired on the enemy in the marshy grounds and surrounded them on three sides, half the Germans being exterminated. The remainder were taken prisoner, including three complete companies of guardsSome artillery was also captured.

Reports from the Austrian front istate that the Russians reached Kovel, and the Austrians evacuated Brody, and also suspended their fortification works in other towns in Volyhinia. During their retreat the Austrians threw much artillery, machine-guns, ammunition and forage into the river Strj»

A communique says: Four German attacks westward of the Vileyka have been repulsed. We captured a thousand unwounded Germans and thirteen guns, including five of large calibre. We compelled the enemy near Delatrischi to fall back with great losses. We surprised an Austrian battalion at Labusy, on the Snara, bayoneting a number and capturing 364 men. T>e remnant were forced beyond the river Frence. House to house fighting enued in the capture of Sliesnits, in Ohe lower Stokho region, nearly all the defenders being killed. Austrian reinforcements compelled us to evacuate Novo Alokinatz, but we counter-at-tacked with the bayonet and re-ex-pelled the enemy. We killed many and captured a thousand prisoners.

BERLIN, Sept. 28

A communique states: German airmen attacked Russian war vessels. Hits were observed, and the Russians hastily steamed northwards.

We captured another position southwest of Dvinsk, taking thirteen hundred prisoners. Fighting is proceeding on the entire fronter.

BERNE, Sept. 28.

It is reported that General Mackensen has been ordered to withdraw, lest he be surrounded.