BATTLE IN THE OPEN.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 438, 6 July 1915, Page 7

BATTLE IN THE OPEN.

RUSSIAN READJUSTMENT IN POLAND. ENTIRE AUSTRIAN FORMATION CRUMPLED UP. i ''Times" and "Sydney Sun" Services. I . (Received July 6, 8 a.m.) \ ■ - LONDON, July 5. A correspondent with the Russian forces in Southern Poland describes the readjustment of the line at this point in order to conform with the Galiciari retreat. The operations were brilliantly carried out, the Russians achieving an important success near Opatow, resulting in the complete breaking up of the symmetry of the Austro-German pursuing movement. The battle was peculiarly interesting because it was fought in the open, without trenches, between 100,000 men with 400 girns. The Austro-Germans lost nearly 30,000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The enemy's strength was nearly double that of the Russians, and it was not expected that the supposedly demoralised ' Russians should offer resistance outside their fortified line. The battle commenced by a left attack upon a German corps, and then the Russians, using Opatow as an axis, swung furiously upon the Austrians. The attack was characterised by smart Cossack work, the Cossacks riding round the Austrians and hitting at their line of communications. At the same time the infantry attacked the main column, crumpling up the entire Austrian formation. Immediately after, this action the same troops were forced to march by night over a mountain,. attacking..the.German formation frontally, and inflicting heavy losses. , Unfortunately they were unable to follow up their advantage lest th ey should leave a gap in the general retiring line. NO WINTER WAR. KAISER'S PROMISE AND PREPARATIONS. - . ". * ■ ■ . ' RIDICULOUS GERMAN CLAIMS OF ENORMOUS CAPTURES. By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright.- . "'■';'.'., v.. : ., (Received July 6, '9.15 a.m.) ;..-.. - K- I LONDON, July 5. A neutral diplomatist who lias visited Berlin states that the Kaiser addressed the troops in Berlin last week, and swore that there would b,e no winter campaign, as the war would be" ended by October: The diplomatist added: —. /'Germany is nevertheless preparing for a winter campaign, ■.which air classes''dread. "Germany will probably make a supreme effort in the autumn, probably with a general and furious offensive on the western front." ' A Berlin report, estimating the extent of the Austro-German ',' victories during the two months' operations preceding June 27, calculates that 52G;000 prisoners, 300 field guns, and 770 machine guns were taken. "POSITION VERY SERIOUS/' N.S.W. MINISTER'S ALARMING STATEMENTS; (Received July 6, 10.15 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 6. The Hon. H. C. IIoyle, : Assistant-Treasurer,. speaking at a recruiting meeting, and explaining that he^ spoke as a Minister, said:— V The information is not available for the general public, but I tell you that the position is very serious. Do not imagine that we are out of the wood, as we are not. Britain is not really so strong as we all imagined, and we must realise that the Empire must put its shoulder to the wheel. Nothing must be left undone to prepare for the great blow which Germany is preparing to strike !