FALL OF ERZERUM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 7

FALL OF ERZERUM.

AT THE BAYONET'S POINT. STORY OF THE OPERATIONS. SIBERIANS' DASHING WORK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright PETROGRAD, February 18. The advance on Erzerum was conducted by three routes. The city's downfall was due to a frontal attack. The first fort was taken on Monday, and the Russians on the following evening impetuously rushed the entire first line of forts, which fell after less than thirty-six hours' lighting. The majority were taken at the bayonet's point. Earlier in advance a special striking column of Siberians seized the Duinlu Dagh Ridges, and was then lost sight of for a week. Evidently the column made across country to circumvent the enemy, and ultimately took the Kara Gubek and Tafta forts. A neat capture was executed, necessitating hard fighting. The Siberians swept southward like a cyclone behind the Deveboyun forts, and within twenty-four hours were masters of seven forts, opening a free passage for the forces along the shortest route, via Koprikcni and Hassan Kale.

TURKS OUTWITTED. PRINCIPAL ATTACK BY THE SIBERIANS. FIGHTS IN THE SNOW. LONDON, February 18. Though the tidings of the fall of Erzerum were received without flagwaving in Entente countries, there was a strong undercurrent of elation. The victory is regarded as the greatest triumph which the Allies have secured for twelve months. Newspapers in France, Russia and Italy consider that the victory means the collapse of the grandiose German-Turkish schemes eastward, specially regarding the Euphrates and Suez Canal. The latest messages from Petrograd attribute the victory to the Grand Duke Nicholas's masterly strategy and General Yudenitch's brijlianl lighting powers, which crown General Yudenitch's earlier defeat of the Turks at Ardahan. whore ho frustrated Enver Pasha's wild dash to invade TransCaucascia. After the Turkish centre had been broken on January 17, the Russians, bv a dashing pursuit along the Hassan Kale Road-, threatened to rush the impenetrable Deveboyun position. of which the forts were six thousand feet above the .sen-level. The Turks desperately attempted to check the onset by a sally into the Pasin Plain, but were defeated and driven back*to the forls. . The failure of this sally convinced the Turks that the Russians were pushing masses of men and guns from Hossnn Kr.le As a matter ot fact the Grand Duke's prime attack was elsewhere. An independent Russian column, operating sout wju-a* the

direction of Melazghert, cut ofl the Turkish reinforcements, and headed them towards Bitlis. This operation was also a blind. Nicholas's real attack was revealed when a special column of Siberians seized the Dtnnlu Dagh ridges at the rear of the Kara Gulek and Tafta Forts, which are north-eastwards of Erzerum.

The Siberians rushed the two forts, taking 1452 prisoners and many guns. The Turks then lost sight of the Siberians for some days owing to a blizzard around Dumlu Dagh. Next they were suddenly surprised by a rush of Siberians against the rear of tho Deveboyun forts. The whole* of the principal defences faced eastward. A terrible bombardment was followed by infantrv assaults and desperate hand-to-h.nnd fighting in the half battered fortifications, but the Siberians wera victorious in reducing a fortress of eight hundred guns in a few hours. Tt is midwinter and the terrible weather conditions seemed impossible for the hardiest troops. The Siberians are not necessarily born in Siberia, but are picked men of the quality of guards sent to do soldiering in the confines of the Empire. The Grand Duke's task is now to intercept tho remnants of the defenders, who are apparently retreating to a plateau westward, and prevent them joining the third army.

EFFECT IN GERMANY. FALL CAUSES ENORMOUS IMPRESSION. PARIS, February 18. Advices from Schaffhausen (Switzerland) say that the fall of Erzerum has had an enormous impression in Germany, coupled with uneasiness as to its effect in Constantinople.

THE TURKISH ROUT. REINFORCEMENTS TOO LATE. WILL ARRIVE WITHOUT ARTILLERY. (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD, February 19.

The capture of Erzerum caused the greatest enthusiasm throughout Russia Thousands attended the Te Deums in tho churches, and the populace acclaimed the Grand Duke .Nicholas. Tho capture is regarded as a triumph of generalship. ft is almost incredible that ho captured with tho bayonet in a. few hours the Germanised forts which forty years ago were found to be impregnable after almost a year's assault. Despite tho five excellent roads westward, it is unlikely that tho retreating force will make any resistance, during tho fortnight's march to tho railhead lending to Constantinople. Possibly the hurried and disorderly retreat will enable most to escape, but the rout will have an immense moral effect over a vast area. The reinforcing corps are now useless. They will arrive without the artillery, which was shipped via Trobizond. The Russians, vigorously pursuing, broke down a. Turkish stand ton miles westward of the fortrass. The Russians arc not likely to bo held up anvwhero eastward of Sivas, 250 miles W e s t of Ei-ze-vuov

KURDS MASSACRE ARMENIANS. PETROGRAD, February 19. The German commander at Erzerum. an experienced engineer officer, naa powerfully organised the fortress ana used all the resources of modern artillery and art in strengthening the position. It is now known that big lurkis!) reinforcements were hastening to the aid of Erzerum, but were unable to arrive in time. The greater portion of the garrison escaped. The Russians fought without heavy artillery. Before the evacuation of Erzerum the Kurds mercilessly massacred thousands of Armenians.

(Received February 20. 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD. February 19. A communique states:—The completeness of 'tho defeat at Erzerum is becoming clearer. The fortress and the surrounding country are full of lurkiMi corpses and the remnants of the army are. fleeing in disorder in various directions. Our pursuit is annihilating or capturing the raar columns. THE KING'S CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, February 19. The King has sent a message to the Czar as follows: "Heartiest congratulations on tno splendid achievements of your gallant troops at. Erzerum after such hard fighting which T trust will have farreaching effects."

THE ENEMY'S VIEW. TURKS WILL BLAME GERMANY. ROME, February 18It is expected that the Turks will hold the Germans responsible in consequence of tho German officers at the Inst War Council refusing to detach troops from the central theatres despite Enver Pasha's urgent demand. A Turkish communique naively declares'' that there is no news of importance from Irak or the Caucasus.

A GERMAN EXPLANATION. AMSTERDAM, February IS. The Cologne "Gazette" attributes the fall of Erzerum to Turkey s failure to build railways and create a fleet. It is impossible to march up reinforcements speedily in the depth of winter. The Russian 'offensive was commenced weeks previously with superior forces.

DECISIVE VICTORY. ASHMEAD BARTLETTS VIEWS. (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY. February 20. Mr Ashmead Barlott, in a lecture on the value of Ereejum, said that it was the first decisive, victory of the war and could not be overestimated. Referring to Gallipoli, he said that it was certain that the, check was only temporary and that the Allies would find themselves in possession or' Constantinople this year or next.

HUNGARIAN REPORT. TURKS MAKING A STAND. BIG BATTLE PROCEEDING. (Received February 20, 5.5 p.m.) ZURICH, February 18. A message from Budapest says that the Turks are making a desperate rally west of Erzerum, where a big battle is beginning. Milan newspapers state that the Russians are. pressing hard the remnants of fourteen Turkish divisions among the mountains.

STOPPING TURK SUPPLIES. RUSSIAN WARSHIPS SHELL COAST. (Received February 24), 5.5 p.m.) PETROGRAD,, February 19. A communique states':—Our warships destroyed the coastal bridges west of Trebiz'ond and destroyed fifteen sailing vessels.