FALL OF ERZERUM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17099, 23 February 1916, Page 7

FALL OF ERZERUM.

THE RUSSIAN PURSUIT. FUR TITER CAPTURES. Bj Telegraph—Press Association—Coprrirhi PETROGRAD. February 21. A communique says:—"Continuing the pursuit in the Caucasus, we took prisoner a further 2.500 Turks with sis guns, and much munitions and material."

ARMY CORPS RETIRE. TURKS SURPRISED AT NEWS. . PETROGRAD, February 21. Two Turkish army corps, wl’-ich were advancing to relieve Erzurum, retired astonished at the fall of the fortress. ADVANCE ON TREBIZONO. TURKISH FORCE CUT OFF. (Received February 22, 10.00 p.M.) PETROGRAD, February 21. Latest, messages show, that Armenia is practically in Russian hands. The Grand Duke’s forces in the north have cut off the Turkish supplies from Trebizond, and Bastaii Pasha’s army corps, which was formerly on the Ottoman left, is now in extreme danger, without supplies, far from the base. The Russians are across their line of retreat. CAPTURE OF MUSH. AN IMPORTANT SUCCESS. , LONDON. February 21. Mr Hamilton Fyfe, war correspondent., states the capture of Mush is important in connection with our success in the Black Sea. region, pushing the enemy upon Trebizond on both flanks. The situation is well in hand. The Turks lately used Mush as a store depot and for the training of reserves. The series of blows which wo have been inflicting on the Turks were planned with rare skill and foresight, and justify the development of a crushing victory* THIRD TURK ARMY IN DISORDER PARIS, February 21. M. Naudeau, in a message to the “Petit Parisien” from Petrograd, says: “The capture of Mush and Akhlat cuts off the Third Turkish army, which attempted to retreat, towards Mossow, where the Twelfth army is stationed. The Third' army in disorder fell back in dislocated sections without food and is certain, to ksc tho greater part of its artillery and effectives. “.In other words. Armenia is now in the hands of the Russians. Lack of communication prevents the Turks resuming the offensive even if concentration of their force* were possible.” ERZERUM DEFENCELESS. RUSSIANS MUST CONSTRUCT . .WORKS. LONDON. February 21. Erzerum is practically defenceless from the west and, if the Russians intend to hold it in the event of Enver Pasha advancing, they must construct earthworks far into tho western hills. GENERAL YUDENITCH. DISTINGUISHED IN JAPANESE WAR, LONDON, February 21. General Yudenitch, commander of the Russian fdrc.es, is a man of tremendous force of character; He was made a general at the age of fortythree for his brilliant work in the Japanese campaign. He led the Ninth Turkish army into a trap a year ago by the following ruse:—lie sent thirteen men belonging to a disaffected mountain tribe to the Turkish camp. They professed to sell information as to the Russian dispositions. The commanders.of the Ninth Turkish arrnv believed the story, and subsequently found themselves surrounded and helpless. A GERMAN VIEW. FALL.DUE TO DARDANELLES OPERATION'S. “ Times ” and Sydney “ Sun ” Services. (Received February 22,: 5.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 21. The military correspondent of the “Frankfort Gazette” attributes the failure of the Turks at Erzerum to the summer operations- in the Dardanelles. They, .took up all their- energies, and the Turks had not had. time to recover - from the strain.