South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-22


PETROGRAD. Feb. 22.-The first
detailed story OF the Russian retreat
from East Prussia was issued by the
war office today together with an an
nouncement that during the last two
days the Russians have captured
about 1000 more German prisoners
in Galicia. The war office cCmmun-
ique shows that the 10th Russian
army had a narrow escape from de-
struction. but that II finally eXtriCated
itself. though heavy losses were in
flicted on both sides
The recent German losses in Galicia
were suffered in fighting southwest Of
Tarnow. the Teutonic troops having
attempted an offensive in the region
Of ZaklicZyn which was repulsed
The statement of the war Office fol-
lows:
''The Germans having convinced
themselves after a series of exception
ally tenacious and obstinate attacks
which cost them innumerable victims,
Of the impossiSlity Of piercing our
positions on the left bank Of the Wis
tula, proceeded at the end Of January
10 carry out a new plan.
Use Network OF Roads.
Having concluded the formation
I'm the interior of their country Of sew
eral corps, they decided 10 continue
the transportation Of troops from the
western front in order to bring them
into operation against us. The Ger
mans, making use Of their highly or
ganiZed network OF railroads, set great
forces in motion In eastern Prussia
with the intention of defeating our
tenth army. which occupied strong
positions along the Angerapp river
and the Mazurian lakes.
ITO insure the success of this stroke
he
cOntingents froTG the BZura- Rawka
front TO the right bank of the Vistula
The German concentration in east
Crn Prussia was disclosed Feb 4, but
the extent Of the concentration could
only he established some days later.
Not being able. owing to the lack Of
railways 20 assemble with the neces-
sary rapidly on the eastern Prussian
front forces indispensable TO rnent
this development adequately we de-
cided to withdraw the above men
toned army from eastern Prussia to
the frontier and farther toward the
Nieman and Bobr rivers. In this
movement the right wing OF the 10th
army. pressed by great forces Of the
enemy, was threatened with envelop-
ment. The right flank was forced
into a very rapid turning movement
IN the direction OF KOvno. This rapid
movement exposed the flank of fol-
lowing corps which consequently
found itself In an extremely difficult
position. Only isolated elements sue
Ceeded IN escaping.
(This tends TO confirm the official
claims made in Berlin that the Rus
slams suffered terrific losses I'm East
Prussia A Russian corps numbers
from 10000 10 $4,000 men,
other Corps Fail Back.
The other corps of the 10th army
re- - in, ha
signed them, fighting stubbornly. In
Cessantly. and valiantly. repulsing the
enemy's attacks and infictinc upon
him heavy losses while all the time
having 10 overcome incredible diff
Culties caused by the deep snow
which blotted out ali roads As the
roads were quite impossible motor
transports and vans could not move.
supply trains were delayed. often not
reaching their destination at all
The corps forming the left wing
az the 10th army held of the enemy
nine DAYS I'm the country which under
ordinary circumstances can be trav-
ersed in four DAYS. on Feb 70 and
Feb 1920 these corps. retiring by
way OF AugustOwO. emerged from the
lighting area and occupied the posi-
tions assigned them.
AT the present moment fighting on
the Germans front continues in the
vicinity OF OSSoWiSts OH TIRE loduS from
IsomEa 10 Jedvabno, north Of RadHlow
and half way between PlOck and
Plousk. In some places the engage
ments are OF q very stubborn nature.
ON the right bank Of the Nistula. on
The roads 90 Plock. Austrian elements
have been discovered among the Ger
man troops
During the last two days we have
captured about 1000 Germans in
Galicia. The enemy on Feb. 1920.
after a preparatory bombardment OF
great intensity. took the offensive 10
he north OF Zakllczyn. but was re-
pulsed after three attacks"