EASTERN THEATRE

Southland Times, Issue 17787, 17 July 1916, Page 5

EASTERN THEATRE

A VIGOROUS THBUST. ORGANISED BY DUKE NICHOLAS., ALONG THE EUPHRATES. TURKS LOSE THEIR GAINS. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) PF.TROGRAD, July 15. Received July 10. 5.5 p.m. The communique shows that the Grand Duke Nicholas has organised a vigorous thrust in Armenia along the Valley ol the Euphrates, where the Russians in u few days advanced twenty-five miles in the direction of the military depot at Zingan, which is forty-tivo miles distant. The Turks have already lost practically all they gained during the recent offensive. GERMANS ASSUME OFFENSIVE BUT ARE REPULSED. NEW TURKISH POSITIONS CAPTURED., LONDON, July 15. Received July 10, 5.5 p.m. The Russian communique states that the Germans assumed the offensive on the 14th in the region of Skrobow, but were repulsed. A scries of new Turkish positions west of Eracroum were captured. We are now 15 versts from Raibur. The battle south-west of Mush is developing successfully. A SLOW ADVANCE. HINDENBURG’S DESPAIR. RUSSIAN NUMBERS MUST TELL. (The Times.) LONDON, July 15. Received July 16, 5.5 p.m. The Times correspondent at Petrograd, after having visited General Evert, says that it is a repetition of General Brussiloff’s advance. There are different conditions, which resemble those of the west front. The network of defences, strongly held, necessitated a slow advance preceded by terrific artillery fire. The enemy is unable to relieve the Germans along the weakened front or to withdraw the division to Kovel. Prisoners say that the enemy is desperately snatching remnants everywhere to stave off a rupture in the front, and it is difficult to sec from where they can draw further reinforcements, without weakening the other fronts, for the inadequate ten divisions opposing General Evert.

Officers captured on Hindenburg’s front state that Marshal Von Hindcnburg told the men that nothing remains between them and the Russian cavalry except their positions, which they had to hold to their last breath and last drop of blood. He substituted fresh German Landstrum troops for the Austrian defections.

The Russians penetrated and held twelve miles by two miles within two days. A division drove the enemy for nearly four miles, but was compelled to pause in order to level up the flanks.

The Germans apprehended the opening of the gates to allow masses of Russian horsemen to sweep the plains of Lithunia, turning the position on the Dvina, and threatening East Prussia. They concentrated masses at the threatened point, managing so far to comply with. Marshall Von Hindenburg’s despairing summons, but the numbers of the Russians must tell in the end.

The cable news in this Issue accredited to The Times has appeased iu that journal, hut only where expressly stated is such news the editorial opinion of The Times. MECCA CLEAR OP TURKS. EXTENSIVE CAPTURES. (Reuter’s Telegrams.) CAIRO, July 15. Received July 16, 5.5 p.m. The remaining forts at Mecca have surrendered. The total booty captured included ten mountain guns, ten field guns, 15 machine guns, one hundred officers, 2500 soldiers, and 150 officials. Since independence was proclaimed, no trace of the Turks remains in Mecca. AN AUSTRIAN COMPLEXION. AMSTERDAM, July 15. Received July 16, 5.5 p.m. Austrian communique; In south-west Moldavia we repulsed the Russian advance. Fighting near Delatyn is increasing in intensity. We repulsed enemy detachments who penetrated the town, and frustrated an attack south of Delatyn. We repulsed a big Italian attack against Borcola Pass. A GERMAN REPORT, BERLIN, July 15, Received July 16, 5.5 p.m. German communique: We repulsed Russian attempts to cross the Dvina, near Lennewaden. Prince Leopold recovered parts of the ground lost on July J in the region of Skrobowa. AUSTRIAN CLAIMS. VIENNA, July 15. Received July 15, 5.5 p.m. Official: Two Russian attacks at Buczacz were beaten off, but a third attack succeeded in piercing our lines. The enemy was completely driven out of the left hank of the Stockhod.