THE RUSSIAN RETREAT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXV, Issue 10713, 18 August 1915, Page 5

THE RUSSIAN RETREAT.

RUSSIAN LINE SAID TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN.

(Received August 17, 2 p.m.) 'j AMSTERDAM, August 16. A German communique states: Our successful attacks on. the advanced positions at Kovno on Sunday resulted ir. the capture of 2790 men. We broke through the Russian lines from the Xarew to the Bug. After crossing the Nurec, our pursuing troops reached a hill at Briansk, capturing 5000. We drove the defenders of Novo Georgicvsk further back' from groups of fortifications. 4 Prince Leopold's armies, during Sunday flight, fought their way across tho Bug eastward of Drogitshin, the centre and right wing capturing Losice and Miedzyrzecz. The Russians renewed their resistance at Toznaw -and Klukowa, but our at-tack at daybreak put the Russians to flight east of Losice. Von Mackensen continues his pursuit, and lias occupied Slavsetycze, twenty-five miles southward of Brest Litovstk. We artf advancing Jeastward of Yldoava.

BOMBARDMENT AND BATTLE.

GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED.

(Received Last .Night, 10 o'clock.) PETROGRAD, August 16. A communiqque states that the boml)ardment of Kovno continues unceasingly.. The fortifications of the western sector were obstinately bombarded. There was furious fighting on 'Saturday and Sunday between the Narew and tho Bug, and a series of German attacks were repulsed with great loss to the enemy.

GERMAN PLAN THAN TAILED.

A COLUMN PRACTICALLY ANNIHILATED

(Received Augustight, 10 o'clock.) PETROGRA I), August. 16

It has transpired that 30Q0 Germans, preceded by an asphyxiating cloud, advanced at dawn on the Sth, hoping to storm one of the potts at Osswiece." The wind suddenly changed, and the Germans, panicked, fled, while the fortress artillery shothundreds down. Many of the enem y were attacked by their own artil-lery before the latter realised that the reason of the flight was xliat they wore overtaken, by the gas; and between the two fires, the column was practically annihilated. '

OPINIONS OF MILITARY EXPERTS.

CRISIS IN THE WITHDRAWAL NOT VET REACHED,

(Received Last JS ight, 11.15 o'clock.) LONDON, August 16.

Military exports point out that the main crisis in the Grand Duke Nicholas's grandiose and decisive withdrawal to his main defensive line, the Brest-Ossow line, and the Brest-Ossowier-Kovno lino, has not yet yet been reached. The situation at Kovno is intimately co-related with the Russian advance from Orinsk. If the latter progress, or even holds the enemy, it will be possible to successfully defend Kovno and the Niemen- Bohr line, also to prevent General Hindenberg from seizing a much-coveted pivot.

GERMAN DIFFICULTIES REGARDING SUPPLIES.

(Received Last Night, 10.30 o'clock.) ROTTERDAM, August IG.

Tho "Colgne Gazette" says, a great area westward of the Vistula Is covered with waggons, ceaselessly bringing up supplies. The Russian destruction of railways and bridges necessitates fabulous exertions to carry supplies to the advancing armies.

EVACUATION OF RHEA.

BUSINESS PEOPLE MOVE

(Received This Morning, 1.15 o'clock.) (JO.PEXipLVJG KX, August 17th

The evacuation of Riga continues. All business houses are closing. The baiikij are removed to Moscow. Most of t-h G inhabitants have gone to tho interior. Little property of military value remains.

AN AUSTRIAN REPORT.

/Received Last Night, 11.15 o'clock.) AMSTERDAM, August / 3.7 th. An Austrian official message state* that Archduke Joseph i- s prt>§vess-

ing southwards of Biala, and lias crossed thp. Ivrscun rivei. Numerous great- conflagrations arc visible nenr Biala, Hi<>t-, KDu Livosk.

RUSSIAN OFFICIAL REPORT.

ENEMY'S TREMKXDOI'S LOSSES

(Received This Morning, 1.15 o'clock.) RO.UE. August 17til. Official: The enemy's heavy losses at I'a.pena Valley are confirmed. There a.re 200 dead in one trench. We made fresh progress in the. direction of I'linil/.0. taking prisoner ;-iOO men.