THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 17

THE RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

IMPORTANT CAPTURES.

Russian official messages state: After two days' artillery preparation we attacked Konmchy, on tho Byshki front, and occupied three lines of trenches. We took the fortified village of Koniuchy and advanced as far as Koniuchystre, southward of the village. Wo attacked south-westward of Brzezany and occupied strong fortified positions, which constantly changed hands owing to Gcrmano-Turkish counter-attacks. Wo captured on this front nine officers and 1700 men, the Turks retreating to Pendjvin Our cavalry occupied Engdja northward of Lake Deribar. We also occupied Kalamirivan, south-westward of

Lake Deribar, and villages in the neighbourhood. [Koniuchy is 30 milea south of the Lem-berg-Brody railway and eight miles northeast of the Brzezany district, where flows in the Dniester and the surrounding marshland which stopped the Russian advance in 1916.] Though the enemy are bombarding our first lines, small detachments sought to come through our entanglements, and made attempts to deliver peace pamphlets and present wine and brandy, which the Russians rejected. German deserters state that naval operations on a grand scale are being prepared at the Gulf of Riga. Troops from other fronts are concentrating there, and formidable trenches and armoured works are being constructed. Marshals von Hindenburg and von Ludendorff are expocted to inspect the preparations for a big attack on the Riga front in July. After a severe battle we occupied Presovce; also stronglyfortified positions on the heights west and south-west of Zborof, and the fortified village of Korshiduv. We also penetrated three lines of trenches to which the enemy had returned across the Little Strypa. We captured r'oshions westward of Uzefuvka. During the fighting on Sunday and Monday wo captured 300 officers and 18,000 men, 25 guns, and 35 machine guns. Artillery fire of varying intensity prevails eastward and south-eastward of Brzezany, where our attack did not materialise. Wo repulsed enemy counter-attacks at Mioezyszoov. We repulsed attacks eastward of Brzezany and eastward of Lipitzadolmai. The enemy are offering a stubborn resistance on the heights westwards and southwards of Pcndjiun. There is ■ increased Jreciprocal artillery firing iq the direction of Zolotchev and sharp encounters in the region of Dzikelany. Tho enemy's artillery is intense eastward of Lepitza and Dolna. The Germans used a white _ flag and suggested fraternising in the region of Baliestche; but wo replied with artillery. A battle is proceeding in the direction of Sakkiz, in the region 'if Bistana, on the Abishirvan River, with reinforced Turks.

In the direction of Zolochev we attaoked a fortified position, and ooouoied three lines of trenches, but were pressed back by enemy counter-attacks. Our offensive westward of Koniuchy was continued. Positions are constantly changing hands in the heights north-west of Presovce and the villages of Lavrikovce and Travotloki The heights eastward of Godov remained in our hands. In the evening we pressed tho enemy back in the Jamnicapacechna sector, north-westwards of Stanislau, and we also advanced in the direction of Bakhovce and Dzviatch, occupying the latter. Three of our fastest cutters raided Laktrazin, south ward of the Danube. They landed under fire, and captured some machine guns and the breech of a fielql gun. Several Bulgarians were bayoneted. In the direction of Kovel and in the region of Volapolska the enemy released gas. Enemy counterattacks at Grodvo and westward of Koniuchy failed, and a dense attack, supported by armoured cars, westward of Vymchka was repulsed. There is intense artillery firing east and south of Brzezany. The Aistriana have retreated across the Little Strypa, and the Russians are marching on Zloczow (about 40 miles east of Lemberg). The Austrian line is definitely broken. Our advance continues, and General Brusiloff has ordered the entire army to be prepared. The enemy are reported to be evaouating Brzezany, which is now invested on three sides.

Units of four Russian armies are cooperating in the Galioian advance, which covers a front of 20 miles. THE NEW OFFENSIVE. The following details of the new offensive have been supplied authoritatively: A portion of an army corps and a Finland division attacked, under violent fire, and took two lines of trenches north of Koniouchi, afterwards repulsing counter-attacks. Some regiments suffered severely, especially in officers. On the rest of this sector our artillery continues to demolish the enemy trenches, which are replying vigorously. In the section where the army corps was engaged our troops carried a'll the trenches on the slopes of Mount Sredniayogoura, each of Koniouchi, which was strongly defended. We occupied Koniouchi and tho forest to the west as far as the Korf torrent, and Ifio wnole of the trenches south of Koniouchi, capturing many prisoners and machine guns. Part of the Trans-Amur Division after capturing the western outskirts of tne village of Schibalius and all three lines of trenches in the forest of Lischon, deployed north of the forest, where they entrenched themselves.

The enemy are violently bombarding the forest of Brzezany, which we are attacking. Detachments of a division of infantry carried two lines of trenches north-west of Koniouchi, and a Siberian army corps carried two lines of trenches south-west of Pontontory, while other troops captured the whole of the first and part of the second and third lines of trenches east and south-east of Mitchischow. Accounts fiirnished from Austrian Headquarters by Vienna correspondents describe in serious language the overwhelming strength and determination of the Russian offe'hsive in Galicia. Tho artillery bombardment of the northern sectors was so terrific that the Austrian positions were completely destroyed. The subsequent mass infantry attacks were supported by armoured motor cars, and the enemy came forward in successive waves fivefold superior to ourselves. Notwithstanding the heroic efforts of the Austrian troops to stand firm, they were compelled to fall back yard by yard before tho terrible attacks. The loss of tho first line was inevitable in face of such tactics. A Hungarian detachment which remained overlong in the first lino was surrounded and taken prisoner. German correspondents acknowledge that tho Russians fought brilliantly, but say that only a few hundred were taken prisoner.

The Austrian war correspondents state that the Russians, after three days' violent fighting, are maintaining the stubbornness of their offensive, and are fighting with the same fury as before the revolution. The Russians have concentrated 20 divisions on a front of 50 kilometres (32 miles), and are making incessant successive massed attacks.

The Austrian papers for the first time admit that the front near Zbrovo is broken, and that reserves are boing brought from every quarter. The losses, they admit, are colossal. The breach has been provisionally closed by the Turks. Members of the Russian mission stated that the Russian armies are plentifully supplied with ammunition lor the continuance of the present offensive. They predict further victories, and the early independence of Poland.

The Petrograd correspondent of the New York Despatch states that M. Kerensky personally Jed the victorious Russians to victory. It has transpired that M. Kerensky three weeks ago informed the United States that a Russian offensive would be started early in July. . It is stated that the Germans have already withdrawn seven divisions from the west front, in addition to sending to the east front fresh formations from Germany. There are signs of impending naval operations in the Baltic. German aircraft are raiding Livonia (Riga area), and German submarines are exploring the Gulf of Finland. ALARM IN GERMANY. A message in the Cologne Volks Zeitung, despatched from Berlin, shows that Bruslloff s vigorous onslaught in Galicia has caused great alarm in Germany. The battles on tho eastern front are doscril>ed as fiercer than any that have taken place hitherto. General Boehm Ermolli's army is seriously menaced. The Russian attack is generally regarded in military circles as part of a great plan to clear the way for the recapture of Lemberg. The Cologne Gazette says that fully 200.000 Russians are participating in the Galician battles. Advices from Vienna state that Marshals von Hindenburg and von Ludendorff (his Chief of Staff) discussed the new situation, and are now conferring with General -iStonai'z at the Austrian Headquarters. German troops training at Beveloo, and until now destined to fight in Flanders, are being rushed to Galicia. REJOICING IN RUSSIA. News of the Russian success has transformed Petrograd. Pessimism has vanished, a wave of patriotism has drowned the exploits of the anarchists and- mutinous soldiers, and the national tricolour is prominent in the streets. A headed by General Russky and the Russian staff officers ann in arm with officers of the Allies, marched to the headquarters of the Government, wdiere Eatriotie speeches were delivered from the alcony. General Brusilpff, in the course an interview, said his offensive last year might have ended tho war if the High Command had co-operated, which it did not. It was the retreat of 1916 which made him a revolutionary. The High Command of the armies on the Russian western front has issued an order of the day, which states: "Tho army of the south-western front has defeated the enemy, and a decisive battle has begun on which depends tho fate o" the liberty of the Russian people. Our brothers on the southwestern front are advancing victoriously, and look to us for prompt assistance; ana we shall not betray them. The enemy will hear the thunder of our cannon. Our troops on tho western front must put forth all their efforts, otherwise the Russian troops who have entrusted to us the defence of their liberty and honour will ourse us." The Daily Mail's Petrograd correspondent states that the Russian armies' continued advance in Galicia caused a thrill of hope and energy to pass along the whole front. There was a great meeting before the Kazan Cathedral. M. Phekhanoff, Sooial Democratic leader, was speaking, when the cathedral doors opened and the clergy came out to bless the people. Tho crowd, who had been singing revolutionary songs, stopped and fell on their knees and chanted a hymn of eternal memory to the first soldiers to die for the Republic Processions visited and cheered the British Legation. Sir George Buchanan and Mr Arthur Henderson, M.P., addressed the crowds. A meeting of the Congress of Workmen and Soldiers' Delegates approved of the advance, with 75 dissentients. There was a picturesque spectacle in the square opposite St. Isaac Cathedral, when the colours of the Petrograd Women's Contingent were blessed. The first detachment consists of over 2000 women and girls, with hair cropped, wearing full men's uniforms, and carrying rifles. Soldiers and sailors acted as a guard of honour. The "All Russia" Congress has appointed an executive committee from all the Soldiers and Workmen's Councils and peasants' delegates with a view to solidifying the revolutionary forces. It acclaimed the deeds of tho troops in the new offensive. The British newspapers give prommenoe to General Brusiloff's big success in Galicia, and declare that it is a splendid method of commemorating tho opening of tho battle of the Somme on July 1,191 b. The Germans admit General Brusiloff's initial success at Koniuchy, but claim that their well-organised artillery in subsequent fighting took a heavy toll. Their latest communique registers the development of fresh battles further north. Previous German reports had prepared their own publio for a general Russian attack along lines focussing certain points of strategio importance. The mere threat contained in this movement of Brusiloff must detain largo German forces on tho eastern theatre who might otherwise have played an -important part elsewhere. The revolution has naturally weakened Russia's striking power, but the renewal of the bitter struggle at tho front will doubtless harde i the troops and emphasise tho need for subordinating internal politics to military necessities. AUSTRIAN REPORTS. An Atistrial official report claims that tho Austrians had recaptured and maintained the positions at Brzezany, of which the enemy gained possession. Between the Narajovka and the Strypa the enemy are continuously employing fresh reserves. They pushed their assaulting waves, totalling at least 20 divisions, into hand-to-hand combats, which were mostly repulsed before our first line 3 were reached. sVc broke massed attacks lasting all morning and afternoon south-west of Zborow. Tho Russians, employing 19 divisions, r eted 15 waves of assault along a front of 16 kilometres, but were compelled to retreat under our machine-gun fire. Our "basing air squadrons and artillery also broke the Russian cavalry, which had been brought up in readiness for an expected pursuit. The losses of the Russians were heavy.