ONE OF THE GREATEST REARGUARD ACTIONS IN HISTORY

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 7

ONE OF THE GREATEST REARGUARD ACTIONS IN HISTORY

(Received July 11, 3.30 pirn.) LONDON, July 11. “The Times” correspondent, after a visit to the army holding the Gnits. Lipa line, states that it fought one of the most remarkable rearguard actions in history. Despite the overwhelming concentration of German and Austrian forces, the Russians withdrew during six weeks from the Stryj to the Gnita Lina, taking fifty-three thousand prisoners, besides inflicting oven greater casualties on the enemy. The Russian policy has been to retreat by forced marches until they gained natural defensive positions, several days ahead of their pursuers, and when the pursuers arrived and found themselves facing extremely difficult positions,, which were held for a few days, the Germans and Austrians were fenced to pay the maximum price for tfieir advance, and when they finally got past the barrier they discovered tbat tho main force had again disappeared, and was waiting in an equally strong position a few days,’ march beyond. The present position is heavy rolling country, the river forming a natural harrier or great strength. If the general situation necessitates a further retreat, there are at least six natural positions between the Gnita Lipa and Tame pel, and each will cost tho Austro-Germans three or four times the Russian casualties. Hardly a day passes without large captures of prisoners. The Austro-Gerraan losses in the battle of the Gnita Lipa in prisoners alone exceeded the total Russian: casualtiesGerman prisoners state that many companies have been reduced to on© hundred. Many admit that they came direct from the French front. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Deceived July 11, 3 p.m.) LONDON, July 11. The Press Bureau states that several thousand Turks crossed tho Aden frontier and encountered a small force of British at Lahaj. They threatened an outflanking movement, and the British retired to Aden. GERMANS LEAVE. IN BLAZE OF SHELL-FIRE , (Received July 12, 1 a m.; PETROGRAD, July 11. Official: Encounters were more frequent between Prasyz and the \' istula. The Germans on Friday night evacuated the last of the trenches near Couuino, covering their withdrawal with a hurricane of fire. In tho Lublin area, south of Urzeloff, our troops approached the River Vljnitza. The enemy maintains his position on Height 11a, south of Vilkolaz. Wa delivered violent attacks on the village of Bystrzitza, but all were repulsed. , Our reserves dashingly counter-attacked on Friday afternoon and forced the enemy to make a hasty and disorderly retreat. Between Vierpz and Westerbut we easilye repulsed attacks, The enemy assumed tho offensive at Zlotolipa and several times reached our entanglements, each time to bo repulsed.