Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-01-05

here quoted the Ausro-TIungaran
army lost nothing by leaving the
greater part Of Galicia to the Rus
slams. To keep open lines of COM
munication in that country was al
most impossible I'm spite of the fact
that the Austro- Hungarian supply
machinery is rather efficient. Galicia
is a country without good roads, has
a strategically poor railroad system
and but few natural resources
These are the main features Of the
recent campaigning in the eastern
theatre of war. But a survey of them
would not be complete without
sketch of some Of the principal oper-
ations and their results.
Russian Fresh Troops.
An important factor in the develop
ments was the arrival of large NAM
hers Of fresh troops in the Russian
camps, which took place during the
first week Of November. Their great
weight was first felt by the German
troops west of the NOwo- Georgiewsk
Warsaw line, who were forced back
against the Warthe banks on NoVem-
Der 10. What the exact strength Of
The Russian Second army formed the
right wing OF the forces in Poland
occupying the line Kolo-Sierads-
Szczerzowo and joining on the left
the Fifth army, whose center was
Nowe RadOmsk, II is thought that
these two forces had a combined
strength Of about eight hundred thou
sand
The Second and Fifth armies be-
camo the Russian center i'm the oper-
ations which followed. On the eX-
treme right the First army occupied
the region between the Nistula and
Kovno. This force was commanded
by General Rennenkampf, whose ef-
forts to crush the German left wing
resulted in number OF smaller en-
Ragements near Stallupoenen, Eyd-
tkuhnen and Soldau, dating from No
vember - to II. Rennenkampfs own
forces numbered at least six hundred
and fifty thousand men, it is asserted.
But he failed TO develop the tremend-
Gus potentialties of this mass, and to
his own great surprise the Germans
engaged in a counter offensive, which
on November 13 resulted in the de-
feat Of Russian division near Wloz-
lawek. The Germans followed up
lbt.l bu'NfEGt ltflhdEtu lllt hlNlhlOll
on the following day at NOwi-Dunl-
now, killed and wounded many and
took 1000 prisoners, driving the re-
mainder off in the direction OF Plosk.
Again Driven Back.
Meanwhile a German force ad-
vanced on the right bank Of the Wis
tula, and on November l5 defeated a
strong Russian force near Lipno.
About five thousand Russians were
taken prisoners. The remainder Of
the force retreated also towards Plosk.
Joined the defeated division from
Wlozlawek. and together with some
fresh units attempted to stem the
German advance. The lighting, which
resulted was severe, but in the end
the Russian forces were driven in
the direction of PlonslS. where they
effected a much needed reorganiza
ton. Most of the artillery and ter
rain had been lost to the Germans.
Rennenkampfs plan to force an in
VaslOn OF east Prussia seems TO have
been abandoned after the experience
two Of his best units had with the
Germans OF sudden the First
army ceased its efforts 10 break across
the border en- route for Berlin, and
for several days all was quiet.
Meanwhile General Won Mackensen
had established contact with the Rus
sian Second army near Kutno, then
so positioned that a movement against
its right flank promised success. With
The Russian offensive against east
Prussia wrecked, and with an advance
threatening the Russian center, the
Russian Fifth army was obliged to
check its advance upon the Silesian
border and the Cracow district. Many
of Its units were rushed TO support
the threatened center, or Second
army. This measure permitted
further development OF the fnak OF
the Second army. But the rearrange-
ment OF the Russian forces came
little too late, II appears General
Won Mackensen lost no time in push
ing his advance, engaged the Russians
on November Is near Kutno. caused
them heavy losses in killed and
wounded and took 5000 prisoners, as
well as much material.
Had to Take Offensive.
The Russian Second army contin-
ued its advance. however. General Won
was in the act of COM
pleting his cul-de-sac, and the Rus
rian Second army had a double task
to perform. Not alone was Il neces-
sary TO envelop the German northern
wedge, but the advance OF General
Won Macekensen had made q vigor-
Gus counter offensive necessary. Of
fensive and counter offensive on the
part OF the opponents gave the Sec
ond army a southwest line
during the next two days, another