PRZEMYSL MENACED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 30

PRZEMYSL MENACED.

LONDON, June 1

A Petrograd report states that a million Austro-Germans are concentrated in an area of 170 square miles, menacing Przemysl.

The besiegers on the north-east and south-east are separated by 20 miles. If these forces join they will surround the fortress, but their movements are hampered by the necessity of their meeting onslaughts from the north, east, and south. AMSTERDAM, June 1.

A German communique states; “Bavarian troops stormed Forts 10, 11, and 12, west of Dunkowiczki, on the Przemysl front, and captured 1400 of the garrison, with 18 heavy and five light guns. The Russians attacked in masses our positions east of Jaroslav, but failed, leaving an enormous number of dead.’’

AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. AMSTERDAM, June 2,

An Austrian official report states: The Austro-German troops penetrated the Russian positions and carried Stryj, the enemy retreating towards the Dniester. We captured 53 officers, 90CO men, 8 guns, and 15 machine guns.

The Russians are reinforcing the Przeraysl lower front by three army corps.

GERMAN ATTACK ON BZURA REPULSED.

PETROGRAD, June 2,

Official: The enemy on the left bank of the Vistula on Sunday night developed an active artillery fire along the whole front northward of Pilitza. At 4 o’clock in the morning, under cover of smoke and using gas extensively, they attacked in great strength our position on the Bzura near Urtkovitza-Brohow-Sochaczeff-Koslow. The attack was characterised by extraordinary tenacity on the Lower Rawka. Notwithstanding the gas, the fumes of which were perceptible 19 miles behind our fort, all attacks were repulsed. The enemy in Galicia attacked forts 7 to 11 westward and north-westward of Przemysl. They approached on Sunday night to within 200 paces and gained a footing within the precincts of the fort. There was a severe and obstinate battle until the afternoon of Monday, when we repulsed the attack with enormous enemy looses. Twenty-three officers and 600 men who entered the fort were taken prisoners. The Germans brought their reserves into the battle at Stryj. The result of the fighting is not yet known.

Our success on the Svitza is continued. Already we have sent 10.660 prisoners to the rear, including 238 officers.