ADVANCING RUSSIANS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14074, 18 August 1916, Page 10

ADVANCING RUSSIANS.

DARINO TAOHCS ADOPTED

NEW ROLE OF OAVALUY. ADMIBATIQN OF ENEMY.

The following tribute to the Russians comes from a German source, and is published m the 1 New York Herald ot July 13: — Russian ingenuity has invented new -tactics, which are extensively used against the Austrians and Germans — tactics* which won the ungrudging admiratiqn .of German officers. For some .time' the correspondents m Berlin have been hearing of the astonishing use, of Russian cavalry on the front south of the swamps and getting repeated tales of charges of masses ot horsemen against trenches and unbroken infantry under conditions Avhich wouid make them appear the height ot madness. An explanation has now been received, showing that there is method iiy this madness and that the Russians have devised new tactics, which are employed, not to press home an assault, Tsiit" to advance a. line of skirmishers rapidly across the clanger zone before the actual charge is started. .*• , i" Tho role of. .the cavalry is' played when the infantry lines reach a point some five hundred yards from the 'Austro-German trenchos. A swarm of cavalry iA widely-exitended lines is then flung forward' through the intervals of ■the infantry lines. The horsemen darb forward at headlong speed. Soon they fling themselves. to the. ground aaid open a rapid fire against the,, enemy. The ]sossack horses are trained to participate jn this manoeuvre and lie down at the word of command and form .1 living breastwork for the riders. Under cover of the heavy fire from' -the dismounted horsemen; the infantay^ lines' advivnce across the intervening country. ; Men' or horses, maddened by excitc7nent, often refuse to halt at the destined position, liut.- tear on against jihe trenches> and entanglements m «m ritnprcmeditaited charge. : ; , The Cossacks are being largely used m attempts' to force slightly guarded river crossings^ though the Russian pioneers have devised a- now scheme for the crossing of the infantry wher-a more resistance is looked for. Long slender rafts are moored along the banks of the narrow rivers, with which this swampy country is intersected, concealed by overhanging bushes. At the proper moment the upstream end c.E each raft is 'released and the current swings it across the river, forming aseries of narrow bridges for storming parties. •