THE EASTERN THEATRE

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16742, 24 December 1914, Page 7

THE EASTERN THEATRE

CAMPAIGN IN GALICIA. FIGHTING IN POLAND. GERMANS' DESPERATE ATTACKS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PETROCR AD, December 22. There are now six hundred thousand Austrians and Germans in West Gali--1 nil, attempting to relievo tho Cracow lad Przemysl garrison. They have differed heavy losses in futile attempts to break through. The Germans in Poland are now trying to outflank the Opoczno force, and to open vip the road to Sochacwew. During tho fighting at Ivrnsniz, which finally ended in the Gormans retreating, the enemy repeatedly assailed the Russian positions, but were swept back with fearful losses. Machine guns piled up quivering ridges of human bodies. Tho Germans rushed forward singing and then fell in heaps amid screama and groans. Eighteen attacks were made on December 6, costing tho Germans four thousand killed. GERMAN CHARGES. RECKLESS WASTE OF LIFE. AUSTRIAN TROOP TRAINS COLLIDE. (Received December 23, 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 23. The “Chronicle’s” Petrogracl correspondent describing the repulse of cloven desperate onslaughts on the Russian, trenches in tho Sochazew district disastrously for the Germans, declares that human lives are, the only tilings wherein the Germans do not economise. Men charging are ordered to leave their tunics behind 1 , so that if they aro killed their uniform may clothe another victim. Every man before charging is served with spirits mixed with ether. Two trains of Austrian troops collided near Kalisz owing to false setting of tho points. Several carriages were reduced to . matchwood. A thousand men wore killed or wounded. IN POLAND AND GALACIA. SERIES OF HARD COMBATS. GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. AUSTRIANS LOSE HEAVILY. (Received December 21, 1.5 a.m.) PETROGRAD, December 23. An official report states that a series of hard combats occurred on Monday between tho lower Vistula and the Pilica River, especially in the region of tho left bank of the Pilica. Nearly all the Gorman attacks were repulsed with great loss, and only in small districts did the Russians retreat somewhat in order to occupy more convenient positions. - The Germans who crossed the Bzura in tho region of Gahrzeff were driven Lack towards tho river, and many were killed. Nine machine guns were captured. Tho Austrians who crossed the Nida in the region of Skowronno were driven back to tho river by the bayonet. Eighteen officers and a thousand men surrendered. Tho Russian activity in Galicia is proceeding satisfactorily, the * army in- * flicting heavy losses on the enemy and taking many prisoners at Mand't, Ryglico and elsewhere. The garrison of Przemysl again .sontiod in different directions, but everywhere were repulsed with heavy loss. THE RUSSIAN MOVEMENTS. ‘'Times” and Sydney "Sun" Services. (Received December 23, 5.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 23. The Petrograd correspondent of “Tho Times” maintains that tho backward movement of tho wholo Russian front is due to strategical considerations «nd is deliberately undertaken by the higher command. The German attack north of tho Vistula plainly has failed and the Austrian movement in the Carpathians has been defeated, *

TURKS DEFEATED. OPERATIONS AT VAN. The Prime Minister lias received the following message from the High Commissioner : LONDON, December 23. Petrograd reports that in the Caucasus in tko direction of Van on Sunday the Turks were defeated with heavy losses. The Russians pursuing captured' a mountain gun and ammunition. A few unimportant engagements have taken place in the direction of Surykamyscli.