FIERCE FIGHTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 511, 29 September 1915, Page 7

FIERCE FIGHTING.

STRUGGLE IN THE EAST. MORE SUCCESS FOR RUSSIANS, j ■. ■ j PETROGRAD, September 28. | A communique says:— 1 "Four German attacks westward! of Yileika were repulsed. We captured 1000 unwounded Germans and 13 guns, including five large-calibre weapons. "We compelled the enemy, near Deleatrischi, to fall back, with great losses. "We surprised an Austrian battalion at Labusy, on the Snara, bayonetting a number, and capturing 304 men The remnant was forced beyond the river. "Fierce house-to-house fighting ended in the capture of Sliesnitz, in the Lower Stokhod region. Nearly all the defenders were killed. "Austrian reinforcements led us to evacuate Novo Alcxiniec. We counter-attacked with the bayonet and re-expelled the enemy. We killed many and captured 1000." INCREASING INTENSITY. FIGHTING AROUND DVINSK. PETROGRAD, September 27. Fighting is proceeding with extraordinary violence round Dvinsk. Russian cavalry defeated a strong enemy column near Lake Tchichiry. Strong enemy artillery fire forced the Russians back to the Lake District, which is a veritable labyrinth. The Russians lured the enemy into the marshy ground, which they surrounded on three sides. Half the Germans were exterminated and the remainder were taken prisoners, ineluding three complete companies of Guards. The artillery was also captured. Reports from the Austrian front state that the Russians have "reached Kovel, and that the Austrians have evacuated Rrody and suspended fortification works in other towns in the Yolhynia district. During their retreat the Austrians threw many field guns and machine guns and much ammunition and forage into the River Styr. LONDON, September 28. The Petrograd correspondent of "The Times'" says the increasing intensity 'of the German efforts near Dvinsk indicates the importance the enemy attaches to the capture of this city, and also the general Dvina line. Our ability to develop a hurricane of lire at Novo Alexandrovsk is a gratifying proof that the defenders of Dvinsk are well equipped with ammunition. The presence of Germans in the region of Vileika points to the strength of their thrust from Svientsiany across our line of retreat. Consequently the expulsion of the enemy there is all the more important.

Our territorial gains in the K'ovel region since early in September are estimated at 70 miles. The general offensive in the Volhynia and Galicjian theatre has effectively countered ! Marshal von Mackensen. | BERNE, September 28. . ; It is reported that Marshal von I Mackensen lias been ordered to with- ! draw his army lest it should be surrounded. THE GULF OF RIGA. NAVAL ACTIVITY. PETROL RAD, September 28. An ofhcial naval communique slates: "We bombarded and silenced enemy land batteries on the shore of the Gulf of Riga. A stray enemy projectile fell on a Russian ship, killing her commander, Captain Viazemsky, and also Captain Svinintv Our other casualties were five killed and nine j wounded."