ANOTHER LESSON.

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1915, Page 3

ANOTHER LESSON.

MODERN FORTS CANNOT STAND

AGAINST BIG GUNS,

DESPERATE FIGHTING.

(Press Assn.—Reed. 9.a p.m.)

PETROGRAD, August 20,

The German tactics at Kovnto consisted of feigning to advance on Vilkonir with a view to engaging a portion of the Russian forces and then throwing the whole weight of violent artillery and infantry attacks on the western sector of the fortress. This sector is bounded by the Jessia, flowing in a deep gully parallel to che Kovno-Vierzbalovo railway, and by the left bank of the Niemen to the northwestward of the town. The lesson at Kovno is that of Antwerp and Maubeuge, namely, that given an attacking force, a sufficiency of sixteeninchers and a complete disregard of intense sacrifices of life, a* modern fortress proves only a temporary obstacle. The 'Germans have made great and incessant efforts at Kovno and the attempts to effect a landing from the Baltic far north possibly showed the importance attached to the operations in the northern-sector. The haste indicates a desire to finish the task before being caught in the November rains and snow amid impassable roads and swamps of the Russian north.

The fighting at Digry, westward of Kovno is exceedingly sanguinary. Toe Germans are greatly weakened and have sent more and more reinforcements. The bombardment of the Russian positions was terrific. Many shells were filled with glass. The assaults were repeatedly repulsed and again and again renewed, resulting in the latest success between the Niemen and the Jessia.