THE RUSSIAN STRATEGY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14138, 14 July 1916, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN STRATEGY.

ENEMY PUZZLED BY CONTINUED FEINTS.

WORN AND DISPIRITED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

London, July 12.

An analysis of the recent Russian strategy and tactics shows that the general method is to attack with great vigour at a particular point until the enemy strengthen the threatened sectors. The Russians then fall back on the defensive, but make a violent attack elsewhere against sectors where the lines have been thinned. The Germans thus found the system of quickly entraining reinforcements for different parts of the b'nes useless.

A Hungarian staff officer who was recently on the Russian front states that in preparation for attack the most formidable artillery is concentrated on a given point for 20 hours' gunfire,. Meanwhile at least ten lines of attacking columns are concentrated. The bombardment commences at dawn and ends at nightfall. The defenders, utterly exhausted, expect a night attack. Everybody is awake with nerves shattered and eyes burning with fatigue and excitement, but nothing occurs until dawn, when the bombardment recommences.

The defenders have another sleepless and nerve-racked day. Perhaps the attack is finally launched at noon, the bombardment only stopping when the attackers have reached the German position. In most cases the defenders are so exhausted that they are unable to fight amid the debris of the trenches. Having ample reserves, Brusiloff sends a fresh regiment to fight daily, while the Austro-Germans are obliged to keep every man in the firing line.