West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-01-07
CHURCH IS KEY
TO STEINBACn
With Its Capture French Are
abe to OisIOdss Gsrmals
IEUTOAs RET.iE IN ALsACE
stand.te-Hand Fighting Results In
Heavy Loss Of Life-Routed Aus.
trians Are Being Harrassed by
Enemy In Eastern Galieia-oermans
Keep Battle Warm In Central
Poland.


Enemy In Eastern oalieia-oermans
Keep Battle Warm In Central
Poland.
Paris. Jan. 6.--According to the lat
est communique Steinbach is now in
possession OF French soldiers and the
German defensive positions west OF
Cernay are In the hands of the French.
In capturing Steinbach the French
drove the enemy In confusion from the
town.
AZ was the capture OF the church in
ateinbach that finally gave the victory
toNthe French. This crucial position
had Been taken from the Germans
only to have 1t lost again.
Realizing that II must be captured
and held strongly. II the general move
ment was to succeed, strong force
Of General Pau's infantry men execut-
I'd brilliant charge through the dark
ness. At daybreak the last German
had been driven back and few hours
later the remaining houses were In
possession OF the French.
Every foot OF ground was so bitter
ly contested that the losses were ex.
traordinarily severe. A separate bat.
tie ragged about each house and for
several hours the advantage rested
first with one SIDE and then with the
other.
A mile to the east of Steinbach lies
Cernay. where the Germans have con.
centrated especially strong defensive
works. The French had managed to
capture this German position. but they
could not hold their position and in
short time the enemy's forces were
again In their trenches. II was not
uhtil the overwhelming rush that gave
fteinbach 10 the French and also
rolled on toward Cernay that the
French town came again and finally
into the hands of the attacking force.
Hard Fighting In Central Poland.
L0naon, Saii. o.--Ihe intensity or
the struggle In central Poland has not
relaxed In the slightest, according to
an ofifeial statement issued by the
Russian general staff.
The Germans are continuing their
offensive operations along the Bzura-
Ravka front and at one point were
prevented from crossing the Bzura and
getting strong positions on the War
PaW side of the river by the vigilance
ef the Russians.
Against tie Austrians the Rrssian
successes go ON undated, In Ruk
owina the defeated and routed
armies Of Austria Hungary are being
al noyU vxxx
taking q large number of prisoners.
At the UzeL pass the Austrians who
had come through the Galician plains
In great drive after their removal
from Servia have been SO badly beaten
that there seems little like ihood OF
their being able to make further re.
distance OF Importance.
The Russian statement tells of some
81 the most bitter aghting of the war
IN the east, notably at Borjimew,
Fartheast OF Heiimow which Is on the
LETT bank OF the Ravka just east of
Lowicz. A German infantry attack
there was rcpulsed by O concentration
Of artillery and infantry action and by
counter attack with the bayonet.
The feat of the Germans in getting
across the Bzura was daring one.
They expected to get over unobserved,
phf the Russians. warned by their air
bfouts and Cossacks adyakce guards,
we're waiting for them and attacked
with the payonet. desperate hand.
fe-hand struggle ensped and severa
prn4rcA 6ermans were killed with
the bayonet the remainder sur.
rendering.