BOMBARDMENT HEARD FIFTY MILES AWAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16253, 12 June 1916, Page 5

BOMBARDMENT HEARD FIFTY MILES AWAY.

CLIMAX COMES AT 2 O'CLOCK ON SUNDAY MOBNINfi

austrians INTERRUPTED in a FESTIVITY. SLAV REGIMENTS SURRENDER WITHOUT RESISTING. (Received June 11. 7 p.m.) PETROGRAD, JUNE 10. A bombardment preceding the Russian offensive was so intense that a continuous roar was heard 20 or 30 miles behind the firing-line. The inhabitants of Proskouroff, 50 miles distant, heard a rumbling like distant thunder. The bombardment reached its highest pitch at two o'clock on Sunday morning. The tremendous vibration of the air is said to have thrown the telegraphic and telephonic apparatus out of gear for miles around. The infantry advanced with the watchword : "Ever forward, not a step backward." The Russians covered the 25 miles to Luck in three days through forests and marshlands over the battered Austrian defences. Captured Austrian officers relate that on the eve of the Russian offensive they were celebrating the German " victory" in the North Sea. The Russian bombardment suddenly ended the festivities. The Russians seized an Austrian railway station. A few minutes later they captured a trainload of troops and supplies, also a trainload of shells. At another part of the front practically a whole division and two generals surrendered. A number of Austrian Slav regiments surrendered without resisting. The Austrian prisoners are in good condition, and the majority are well clothed. The Austrians in many instances are asking to be ept apart from the Germans. There is a noteworthy absence, of Czechs, many of whom have latterly been sent to the Trentino.