The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-12
EYEWITNESS. G|VESDETA|LSO IF TIE. RUSSIAN RETREAT.
Batteries Batter Down Russian Defenses. German Achievements
 Make Successful Move

Headquarters of Russian Third Army in Retreat Behind River San, July II. Correspondence by the British Eye Witness.)-The details of the German advance on the third army are now clearer. The Russian advance over the Cnrpnthians was not met directly, hut by a counter-advance on It's flank. Here five army corps were concentrat- ed, some of the fresh troops being drawn from reserve divisions on the French front.
 Meanwhile the long period of com pnratfve inaction had been employed in bringing up the heaviest German and range not merely of the Russian lines, but of squares which covered n good part of their rear.
 The enemy's advance was at first dl- rected against what. was thought to be the weakest part of the third army name ly its right flank which had sent num- Der of endorsements to the Carpath- iduS put lnt dleTlIltSS ol the 1uSSldu general on this side produced an altera- tion in the plan; and the attack was di- verted to the next army corps eastward. This corps contained regiments which had had heavy losses in the previous hill fighting. gap was forced between the two army corps and the right flank of the threatened corps was crushed by the pounding fire. The flank retreated in good spirit but with the heaviest losses coming right of them. Meanwhile a tremendous cannonade was directed on the division still further eastward, with the result that some regiments suffered terribly.
 The whole advance of the enemy was counter stroke to the Russian advance over the Carpathians further eastward. The right wing of that advance was now out1anked and had to come backward. Half of this corps succeeded in rectifying its positions without serious loss; but the other division had the greatest difficulty in fighting its way through and lost heav- fly.
 Meanwhile the enemy's attack was ex- tended also westward. Here the can nonade was furious and the trenches were in many parts wiped out, all approach to them from the rear for endorsements being made almost impossible. Ultimately a retreat was ordered by the Russians on their side also.
 Retreat to the San
 When the retreat reached the San the third army stood on a not extensive front partly in front of and partly be- hind the river. The apparently endless file of supply and ambulance trains had all made its way along the single line across the river Wherever they stopped the station was infested by the enemy's aeroplanes, at one time 10 of these flying along the line. In one day three were brought down, all the airmen being killed.
 In their positions along the San the Russians had very difficult stream to guard and could easily be put under fanking fire. The officers were vigorous but deeply mortified at the loss of ground for which they had sacrificed so much.
 The enemy's cannohade became more and more intense. lasting all night and into the next day. Then the enemy made good a footing on the Russian side of the river, was driven back but returned and finally established himself and forced another Russian retreat of some miles.
 This brings the opera tions down to the date of filing this dispatch.
 What a picture these days will leave behind with those who have lived through them. It Is only the simple things that count but they keep coming back in new forms again and again.
 The staff is in no way downhearted; 1t is sometimes pre-occupied, sometimes cheerful but always full of vigor, The cause of the losses has been localized, and there Is no sign of panic or hurry in the thought for the necessary remedies. The commander of the army Is full of spirit and energy. and all consider that they are only half way through the battle.
 I return to my inevitable conclusion The Russian retreat has been a big suc- cess of technique; and it has wiped out number of good lives. The battle Is not over and the Russians are on the offen- ,sive at points which offer hope of bet ter results. The Russian army Is frmer than ever. and more and more men are being poured in.