A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13826, 22 July 1915, Page 5

A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

ADVANCE ON THE NAREW

lIADOM—IVANGOROD RAILWAY REACHED.

Amsterdam, July 20. A Gorman communique says:—

The Russians have been repulsed at several points in Courland.

We captured the enemy positions north of the confluence of the rivers Ssdcwa and Pissa.

We reached the Narew north of the month of the Szkwa, and occupied some permanent fortifications at Ostralenka on the north-west bank. Our troops south of the Vistula advanced as far as Blonie. In reargxiard actions the Russians lest 560 prisoners and two machine guns. In the south-eastern theatre all the Russian counter-attacks were repulsed. We took prisoner 5000. 'Our troops are closely pursuing the enemy. Our cavaliry has reached the Radom —Ivangorod railway. The German .Reserve Landwehr are I fighting in this region, which is wooded and marshy, affording extremely favourable ground for the enemy's resistance. Galiwitz further advanced, and now stands with all his troops on the Narew line south-west of Ostralenka. At Novogiorgievsk the Russians, not finding protection in the fortifications and bridge-heads, retreated across the Narew. Our prisoners now number over 28,000. The enemy between the Vistula and the. Pilitza is retreating eastwards.

The Russians who were defeated on the 17th by Woyrsch north-west of Sienawa. attempted to arrest our pursuit in prepared positions behind the llzanka sector. The Silesian Landwehr stormed the advanced positions, and yesterday entered the line at night between Ka&anow and Betranow. A decision is imminent.

Mackensen's battle between the Vistula and the Bug continues with unabated violence. The Russian line is broken in two points, and the Russians made desperate efforts to avoid defeat. They hurried xip fresh troops, which were defeated. We forced a crossing of the Volitza in the Grabowice district.

The Austrians crossed the Bug north of Sokal. Under pressure of our pursuit the enemy, during the night, retreated on the entire front between the Vistula and the Bug. They resisted only at one point, where they were severely defeated.

The Germans captured between the ]6th and 18th 16/250 prisoner*, and 23 machine guns. According to the enemy's written orders they were determined, without regard to losses, to maintain the positions we have now conquered.

An Austrian official message says:— "After crossing the Volitza, we advanced to the enemy's positions on the heights, taking 3000 prisoners. AustroGerman successes on the 18th on the entire front have shaken the enemy's resistance. Ho has brought up all his reinforcements within reach during the last few days, but was unable to maintain his position. He began his retreat on the 18th, and evacuated the battlefield."