THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17198, 19 June 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

Thebe is no Jack of news this rooming regarding the Russian offensive, and the reader who endeavours to keep pace with the advanoo will find himself busily employed. The break-through on the Lutsk sector has not yet been checked, although the correspondents anticipate that strong Austro-German forces will be found concentrated on the Kovel- Vladimir Volynski-Sokal line. In the meantime the Russians axe dashingly carrying positions between Lutsk and Kovel, their latest success being the capture of Svidniki, where the Kovel railway crosses the Stochod. North of Lutsk the enemy is stoutly resisting an advance on the Kolki sector, but to the south, where an immensely strong series of positions enabled the Austrians to

delay the Russian advance the opposition now appears to liaye broken down, and we are told that the enemy was thrown back from the Plashovka, that Radziviloff, on tho Dubno-Lembcrg railway is in Russian hands, and’ that tho enemy is retreating on Brody. It looks, indeed, as if the advance on the Kremcnetz sector would soon catch up with that on the Lutsk sector. From the Galician border to the upper Strypa tho enemy has been offering resistance, and no important advanco is yet reported west of Tamopol. Tho battle on the Burkanoff sector, however, lias gone definitely in favour of the Russians, who hold Burkanoff and Hajvoronka on the west bank of the Strypa. This should give the Russians a crossing at two points north of Buczacz, enabling them to meet the Austrian reinforcements from Podhaytse. On the left wing the. envelopment of Czernowitz is proceeding steadily, but the cavalry forco that reached Sniatyn and cut the railway there is encountering strong opposition both at Sniatyn and beyond that town. It is very evident that the Russians of tho southern group are in winning mood, and the correspondents’ reports arc reflecting tho high hopes of Petrograd. Certainly the tone of tho communiques gives tho Russian people every reason for optimism. There is littlo news from tho northern sectors, but wo must assume that some support must bo lent by von Hindenburg's armies to the hard-pressed Austrians in the south. It is reported unofficially that von Mackensen, who lias not figured in the communiques since tho close of the campaign in Serbia, has been given command of tho Germans and Austrians between Dvinsk and the Pripet. It is probablo that he lias been organising new formations, and his appointment may indicato tho intention of tho German General Staff to attempt the turning of the whole Dvina front. Tho condition of the Austrians, however, suggests that help will speedily have to be given them. Tho Italian communiques report local successes in the Lagarina \ alley, in tlio Lessino Alps and on the plateau of tho Sctto C'omuni, wlioro Austrian attacks havo been countered. Artillery fighting and mine warfare are reported from the Rritish front. At Verdun tho Germans have been endeavouring to follow up their capture of Fort Yanx by strong infantry attacks and a violent bombardment between Thiaumoni and Fleury, on the right' bank of tho Meuse.