PLIGHT OF THE GERMANS ON THE EASTERN FRONT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16283, 17 July 1916, Page 5

PLIGHT OF THE GERMANS ON THE EASTERN FRONT.

FRANTIC EFFORTS TO HOLD THEIR LINES INTACT.

HINDENBURG'S DESPAIRING APPEAL TO HIS TROOPS.

RUSSIAN ADVANCE THREATENING EAST PRUSSIA. Times. (Received 7 p.m.) LONDON, July 14. A correspondent, writing from Petrograd, after visiting General Evert, says that a repetition of General Brussiloff's advance cannot be expected. "The Russians," he says, have now to face a different enemy; under different conditions, resembling those on the west front. They comprise a network of defences which are strongly held, necessitating a slow advance preceded by terrific artillery bombardment. The enemy will thus be unable to relieve the southern pressure. The battle of Baranovitch drove the enemy back several miles, and thai Germans, with a weakened front, withdrew two divisions from KoveL. " Prisoners state that the Germans are desperately snatching remnants from everywhere in the effort to stave off a rupture of their front. It is difficult to see from where they can draw further reinforcements without weakening their other fronts and rendering their defence inadequate. Ten divisions are opposing General Evert " Officers captured on General Hindenburg's front state that Hindenburg said to his men : * Nothing remains between us and the Russian cavalry except your positions. Hold them till your last breath and your last drop of blood.' " Fresh German Landsturm were substituted for Austrian corps. The Russians penetrated and held a line twelve miles long by two miles deep within two days. One division drove the enemy back for nearly four miles, and was then compelled to pause and level up its flanks. " The Germans apprehend the opening of the gates to allow masses of Russian horsemen to sweep down on to the plains of Lithuania and turn the position on the Dvina, thus threatening East Prussia. They have therefore concentrated masses of troops at the threatened point. So far they have managed to comply with General Hindenburg's despairing summons, but the number of the Russians must tell in the end."