THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 17

THE RUSSO-RUMANIAN FRONT.

Russian offioial messages state: Cooperating with the fleet, we raided a port on the Black Sea. The enemy fired from hospitals. Wo destroyed official buildings and blew up 11 motor boats and seven feluccas. The enemy launched an offensive from Czernowitz against Novo Selitza, but our infantry near Boyek, not waiting for the attack, left their trenches and retired eastward. Our reserves, were also scattered, and the Austrians occupied our positions. We repulsed attaoks at Redantz, near Ocna (in Moldavia). The enemy attacked eastward of Ireshz and dislodged our troops, some of whom abandoned their positions and retired northwards. Measures are, however, being taken to restore these positions, and the battle is progressing. We repulsed attacks southward of Ocna, in the neighbourhood of Ireshz; also in Suchitza Valley, with heavy enemy losses. Forty enemy aeroplanes made a series of raids on islands in the Gulf of Riga and the Gulf of Finland. They dropped 90 bombs on warships and harbour works. Enemy ships, torpedo boats, submarines were observed in the vicinity of the coasts. Enemy trawlers aro operating in the Gulf of Riga. The enemy crossed the Dwina south-east of Riga, occupied Kupfermammer, and developed their success Sorthwards. There is an enemy offensive 1 the region of the Mitau road, and the battle is proceeding. Enemy attacks in the direction of Kovel, Vladimir Volynski, Focsani, and Braila failed.

GALLANT RUMANIANS. In describing the reconstituted Rumanian Army's magnificent work against. General Mackensen on August 19, the correspondent on the Marasesti front sayst " Captured orders revealed that tho Germane intended to strike a decisive blow by crossing the Sereth and capturing Jassy and tho whole of Moldavia. General Maokcnsen attacked when the Rumanians were replacing Russian troops, but the Rumanians, though outnumbered by three to one, successfully resisted all attempts to cross. The enomy's lossea were enormous, the 12th Bavarians being annihilated. The Germans brought 12 divisions in endeavouring to force a crossing, which, if successful, would have pierced the Rumanian front. endangering the whole of the armies. Thi Rumanians heroioally sacrificed one division, and foiled the German plans. Tn* Rumanians beat off numerous attacks duping the following days, though whole regiments were decimated by the German guns, machine guns, and gas. The officer* and soldiers preferred to die at their positions, refusing to withdraw or surrender, lhe last big German effort resulted in a thrilling climax in the presence of King) Carol, who fought with his soldiers. Tha Germans managed to pierce the Rumanian entanglements, when the last Rumanian reserves thrown in attacked with 'such violence that the enemy fled, throwing away their rifles. The battlefiold is still covered with unburied corpses, six deep, and the stench is unbearable a mile away. Thf- enemy has since made no attempt-to resume the offensive. The Rumanian* hold the left bank of the Sereth. and dominate the right bank." The Times correspondent at Jassy reports a great fortnight's battle in Moldavia—one of the most sanguinary of the war. The Rumanian First and Second Armies fought magnificently, making sometimes 14 counter-attacks daily. The Germans ara constantly throwing in ,fresh troops, whereas the Rumanians have not ohanged ; during the fortnight. The whole of the Rumanian army and people are inspired by a frenzied hate of the Germans, whose present offensive aims at occupying tha whole of Rumania and disposing of it lika Poland. TRIBUTES TO ITALY AND RUMANIA* The Press Bureau announces that King l George congratulated the King of Italy on the splendid achievements of tho past week, which inflicted a heavy blow on tha enemy, and will have a far-reaching effect on the course of the war. He felt happy that British guns were able to contribute to the success. The British Press Bureau announces that Mr Lloyd George sent a message to tha Premier of Rumania on the anniversary of her entry into the war, paying a tribute to Rumania's courage and endurance in the cause of freedom against autocracy, and continuing: "This cause can neve* fail, however long its triumphs may ba delayed. The re-creation or Rumania's army and the resistance it is now making against the enemy under difficult conditions is a magnificent example of tho strength which freedom inspires in a frca people, also a proof of tha Allies' determination to win. GERMAN REPORTS. German official messages st-ato: We captured important positions eastward of Czernowitz, and took 1000 prisoners and six guns. We have occupied the positions which the Russians yielded on the south bank of the River Dwina. On the southeast front tho enemy pressed us back from a recently-captured height northwards of Sovoja. We stormed a hill position in the Oituz Valley, and captured the village of Muntcheliu, westward of Midd'< "ch (?). We pressed the enemy north-westward on both sides of the Susita Valley. Stubborn enemy attacks in tho direction of Ocna ancl north-east of Soveja resulted in varying success. In the direction of Focsani the enemy attacked near Muntcheliu. One of our divisions did not show the necessary resistance, but abandoned their positions and fled in disorder. The enemy continued their advance all and penetrated our posi» tions in the region of Varnitza. We repulsed the Rumanians southward of Tirgul and Oona. We captured Tiresei and pressed the enemy northwards towards the Susita Valley. Enemy relief attacks north-east-ward of Munoolul failed. Some of our enterprises south-east of Riga succeeded. BASELESS RUMOURS. Groundless reports are being circulated in Paris that Japanese troops will soon arrive on the Russian front. It is believed these reports are of enemy origin. It is difficult to see their object; but apparently it 1$ hoped that they may cause disappointment when it is discovered that they are untrue, and possibly that they may cause dissension among the Allies regarding the part each i* playing in the war.