RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 762, 20 July 1916, Page 8

RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE.

ADVANCE ON LIPA. PRELUDE TO BIG OPERATIONS. Alteration and N.X. Cable Association. (Received July 20,11.20 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 19. Austro-German newspapers attach great importance to the Russian advance on Lipa. The Russians, aided by splendid railways, swiftly concentrated large forces near Syklin. Correspondents assert that these attacks are the prelude to big operations. STRONG ATTACKS MADE. ENEMY GIVE GROUND. Australian and X.Z. Cable Association. PETROGRAD, July 18. An official communique says:— "General Sakharotf captured 30 guns in the battle of Volhynia on Monday. "The whole line of the Lower Lipa has been cleared of the enemy, who has been driven beyond Zwiniacze, Krassow, and the river." THE AUSTRIAN REPORT. LONDON, July 18. An Austrian communique says:— "Near Zabie and Tobarov the Russians forced back our advanced positions. Attacks on our main positions failed, with heavy loss to the enemy. "Russian advances north of Radziviloff and south-west of Lutsk were repulsed."

AM IMPORTANT VICTORY.

GAINS OF 31 MILES. (J nit cd Service. PARIS, July 18. M. Marcel Hulin, in an article in the "Echo de Paris," claims that the most serious obstacles in General SakharofTs march on Lembcrg have been overcome. Sunday's victory resulted in a gain of 31 miles against the German troops. Jinder's Telegrams. PETROGRAD, July 19. The hammering given to the Austrian and German armies in the sector 20 miles south-west of Lutsk was a great tactical success. The Russians smashed the enemy's front for a width of a mile, and penetrated to a depth of several miles. The enemy had been most active here since the Russian thrust from Lutsk started. ON THE DEFENSIVE HINDENBURG TO ORGANISE. LAST WORD IN MILITARY SCIENCE. Australian and Jf.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, July 18. The Rome correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" reports that a highly significant telegram from Petrograd has been received in Rome, announcing that a general retreat of the enemy on the eastern front has commenced. The Austrians and Germans are said to be retiring and laying waste the country, and burning villages.

The telegram is regarded as one of many indications that Sir Douglas Haig's offensive has aroused the worst fears of the German General Staff, and suggested the possibility that they must revert purely to the defensive in order to secure tolerable terms of peace. Marshal von Hindenburg has already been summoned to the western front to discuss the situation with the Kaiser and General von Falkenhayn, Chief of the General Staff.

It is understood that Hindenburg has been given complete control of the eastern front, including the sectors held by the Austrians. llindenburg's appointment is essential to the carrying-out of the task of shortening the eastern front, which is already in progress. Russian military critics point out that von Hindenburg's sector in the Riga district is now organised solely for defensive warfare. It consists of concrete trenches and 10 to 12 lines of barbed wire defences, near which mines have been laid. The Germans still control the Milan, Windau, and other railways, and are building a series of held railways. The organisation of von Hindenburg's rear represents (lie last word in military science as regards the rapid transference of troops and Ihe supply of munitions and food.

THE ITALIAN FRONT.

ARTILLERY ACTIONS. NEW POSITIONS CAIN ED. The High Commissioner reports: LONDON, July 19 (2.15 p.m.) An Italian official report states that on Monday niglil there was intense artillery action in the Ledro Valley. Strong enemy detachments attacked on I'assubio, but were repulsed with heavy loss. Yesterday enemy artillery lire on our position in the Langanina Valley was effectively replied to. On the Upper Posina, after artillery preparation, Ihe Italians renewed attacks on Corno del Costa. The enemy batteries did not reply to the bombardment. The Italians succeeded in gaining new positions on the rocky slopes of the mountain. A nslrnlian and X.'/.. Cable Association. LONDON, July 18. An Austrian communique says:— "The Kalians subjected the city of Hiva (north of Lake Garda) and new sectors of the Dolomite front to severe bombardment. "They also bombarded Malborgctto and the Gorizia bridgehead."