The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-24
Plight of Twentieth.
Cut Off From Tenth
Army. Described in
Official Report
REPEL ATTACKS
ON FOUR FRONTS
Russians Claim That Although Their
Troops Were Surrounded by Ger
man Army, the Former inflicted
Heavy Losses Upon Kaiser's Forces

Petrograd, Feb. e4.-The desperate
resistance offered by the Twentieth
corps of the Russian army to the ad.
vance of the Germans in East Prussia
after il had been cut off from the
fenth army is described in an official
communication iSSuei here last night.
The report is based upon information
received from "various individuals be-
longing TO this corps who managed to
escape. The Russians claim that al
though these troops were surrounded by
German army in the territory be,
tween Gol6ap and Suwalki they infiiet-
ed heavy losses upon their antagonists.
They repelled attacks on four fronts.
"until their strength was. completely
exhausted. The communication fol-
lows:
Russian Communication Broken
''The communication of February 81
which described the unusually difficult
position of parts of our army corps
during the retreat in East Prussia ap-
piled to portions of the Twentieth corps
commanded by Lieutenant General Bul-
gakoff, comprising the Twelfth division
and three reserve regiments. Com
muniestion between this corps and the
Tenth army was broken on February
1 5 and the corps found itself sur
rounded in the country between Goldap
ami Suwalki by a German army which
constantly increased in numbers.
This corps fought heroieally until
February % against an enemy which
outnumbered il several times. During
these days the troops marched about
50 miles, continuing 10 force passage
for themselves toward the southeastern
part of the forest of Ausustowo.
Heavy German Losses Reported
According to accounts given by
prisoners our corps indicted heavy
losses upon the Germans who attempt
Ell to bar the way. particularly in the
lake region and the forest near Chita
Reports Just given by various in
dividuals belonging TO this corps who
managed 10 escape show the corps was
ready to fight until its strength was
completely exhausted, gallantly repell-
ing attacks on our four fronts. retain
ing ITS artillery and taking with it
many German prisoners.
''Severe fighting continues on the
right banks of the Babr and Narew
rivers. Many detsehmentS which took
the offensive near OsSowetz on Feb
rusry Il were forced back by the FIRE
of our artillery. Fighting has been in
progress north of Lomza on the roads
- Radzalow, Artehoutchina and Kolne.
In spite OF attacks by strong forces we
hold Jedwabno.
German Offensive in Przasnysz
\ German attack along the Szeue- /
zyn-hOlno road was supported during
the night Of February % by armored
automobiles and unusually intense
The German offensive continues in
the Przasnysz district. Three attacks
upon Przasnysz were repulsed, our
armored automobiles assisting greatly .
In this respect. Their FIRE deeimatei .
the Germans az distance Of - PAGES. .
On the road 70 Plousk some villages
changed hands several times
'S0uth of the Moghely farm on the 4
left bank Of the ViStula we exploded .
mines under a German trench. occupy
ing the dugOutS in the remainder o.
the German trenches. We captured 4
three machine guns, trench motars and |
also took number of prisoners The
losses to the Germans caused by the
mine explosions numbered 500.
Austrian Attacks Repulsed
In the Carpathians the AuStrians
bomoarded a convent south of Mezola.
borcz with l2-inch motors. We re-
pulsed persistent Austrian attacks in
region of Mike, Smolinka and Tiszvoea
and inflicted enormous losses upon the
enemy in the region of Mylo Koziourka.
Austrian troops have taken the
places Of the Germans south OF Bolina.
Obstinate fighting has begun at Stanis-
lau against great forces Of the enemy.
Between January p and February /.
20 our army in the Carpathians cap
tured 69l officers, 1880 men, II can.
non and lis mitrailleuses. "