FIGHTING IN BUKOWINA

Otago Witness, Issue 3231, 16 February 1916, Page 17

FIGHTING IN BUKOWINA

PROJECTED GERMAN OFFENSIVE. EXTENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS. x AMSTERDAM, February 7. The Telegraaf's Belgian correspondents agree that the Germans are preparing for a western offensive. Enormous stores of artillery, ammunition, and guns are arriving, as the result of a month's preparation. Every place from Central Belgium, southwards close to the main railways is full of stores and troops. The organisation has improved, and is apparently now working smoothly. Engineers, pioneers, and great quantities of machine guns are being sent close to the firing line. Correspondents assert that Ypres is likely to he the location of the offensive. A great hospital is being erected, and graveyards are being marked out. FIGHTING AT ARMENTIEEES. AMSTERDAM, February 7. The recent fighting at Armentieres resulted in a small German gain and heavy losses in men, including many officers. They persist in the close formation, and owing to the admirable calm accuracy of the British shooting 1200 Germans were killed one day. The British artillery and machine guns mowed down the German lines, but the German commanders pay no regard to the sanguinary sacrifice when an objective is desired. GERMAN TRENCHES FLATTENED. LONDON, February 8. Communiques reveal increasing activity on the western front. A German communique alludes to fierce artillery battles between the La Bassee Canal and Arras, and also south of the Somme. The enemy artillery violently bombarded Lens during the last few days. Sir Douglas Haig alludes to the enemy's artillery activity at Loos. The British bombarded trenches near the Ypres-Rou-lers railway. The Daily Mail's Rotterdam correspondent says there is great activity from Ypres to Nieuport, following German concentrations in that region, especially at La Bassee, where the German trenches were flattened by a bombardment. The Germans have brought many new guns opposite Ypres. German newspapers profess to foresee a renewed allied attempt in the near future to break through. Signs are increasing more and more, especially in artillery activity at Lens and Artois. The activity of British patrols is most noticeable. FUNERAL OF ZEPPELIN VICTIMS. PARIS, February. 8. There were moving scenes at the funeral of the Zeppelin victims. The Cathedral of Notre Dame was draped in black, silver, and tricolours, crossed with crepe. The great crowd which had assembled was unable to repress murmurs of indignation. After the service the coffins, covered with tricolours, were placed upon gun carriages and escorted by Territorials to the cemetery of Pere la Chaise. The Minister of the Interior delivered a burning denunciation of an enemy which kills old men, women, and children in the middle of the night when powerless to win a victory by fair/ fight in daylight. FIGHTING IN BUKOWINA. MOST DESPERATE AND SANGUINARY. PETROGRAD, February 8. Fighting in Bukowina is expected to recommence shortly. The Austrian positions at Czernowitz have been strengthened by electric wires, and the forces are provided with many asphyxiating bombs. Recent fighting was of a most desperate and sanguinary character. The Russians almost sickened of their bayonet work. The enemy held out until their losses exceeded one-third of those engaged.

RUSSIANS STILL IN THE ASCENDANT AMEEICA AND THE CENTEAL POWEES