East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-01-07
TENTH CORPS Of THE
OTTOMAN ARMY HAS
BEEN BADLY BEATEN
RUSSIANS ALL But ANNIHII4ATE
TURKISH FORCES, HOLDS
OFFICIAL REPORT.
slays Completely Overwhelm Mos
lens in Struggle That Lasts Ten
Dnys-Frantic Attempts OF the
Turks 10 Turn Russian Column Are
Successfully RepuIsed.

tenth corps OF the Turkish army has
been almost annihllated By the Rus
sian Caucasus force which Tuesday
reported the capture Of the ninth and
the defeat OF the 1ith corps, Is as
serted in the official statement of the
general staff OF the cars troops de-
Tending the southeastern part Of the
empire.
The official statement follows:
at the end Of November the bulk
OF the third Turkish army was sent
TO the region east Of Erzerum. preced-
ed by two army corps besides a re-
serve corps near Hassan Kalah.
Turks Attempt Ruse.
F'ln conformity with the plan Of
Enyey Pasha, the third army was to
proceed as follows:
"The ninth and tenth army corps
we're 20 advance in the direction OF
Olti and form the offensive wing,
whereas the 18th corps had orders to
hold its Dowerfully-o position
and TO attract through a strategic
demonstrate the weight Of our
troops In case Russian troops had
taken up the offensive energetically,
the 1lth corps had been ordered to-
fall back on the fortress OF Erzerum,
carrying along with 1t the Russian
forces
Alternate Offensive Is Plan.
"The 10th Turkish army corps was
then to advance in two columns. the
first including one division proceed
ing toward Id by the Olti-Chai valley
The second. two divisions strong, was
to advance on Ardost through the
Zervy Chat valley. The ninth corps
was to take the offensive in the inter-
walls between the 10th and 11th ar
my corps.
"Our troops in the region OF Olu
checked with great courage the Turk
ish advance. despite the numerical
superiority OF the enemy. though sew
eral counter attacks inflicted heavy
losses
''In the meantime We detected al
strong Turkish column. reinforced by
rebels, which was ad-
vancing from the Panjouretsk and
Jal Agouztschamsk passes in the di- |
rection OF Ardham. The garrison
which we had left at this point, after
holding out II days, fell back a little
To the east.
Strengthened Russians Attack.
Having received reinforcements
We attacked, on January 3. the Turk
ish forces concentrated at Ardham
and inflicted upon the enemy a COM
plete defeat. We captured the flag Of
the eighth infantry regiment. a part
Of the Constantinople garrison.
During the development OF a SUBJ
sequent action we discovered that the
bulk of the Turkish forces. that is to /
say. the ninth and 10th army corps, |
the offensive against Earl
Kamysh. This movement was under
taken through mountain roads and
steep passes buried deep in snow.
THE Turkish troops were abund-
antly provided with provisions and
war material. The enemy had plan
ned the operation, relying on the SYM
pathy and help of the natives who
previously had been influenced by
Turkish emissaries.
THE task of our troops consisted
IN holding on the front important
forces of the enemy and at the same
lime in offering a resistance strong
enough TO check the ninth and 10Th
,orps.
Battle Lasts Ten Days.
''In spite of the extraordinary diff
,ulties of this, in spite also of the
-igors of the winter and of necessity
II fighting in passes of mountains
Using 10000 feet and covered with
now, our valiant troops, after fierce
)attle extending over ten days full
llled brilliantly the exceptional task
which had been imposed upon them.
"They repulsed the frantic attacks
II the Turks on the flank and on the
ront and at Sari Kamysh enveloped
md almost aninhilated two Turkish
orps. They captured one of these
'orps with its commander. three d.
ision generals with their staffs, a
lumber of officers, thousands of SOL
iers and many guns rapid-firers and
Iorses.
"The fighting was very fierce on
he principal front, and of course ne
essitated a change in the grouping
/ our forces in regions Of second
ry Importance. We brought certain
nearer our frontier.
1--WE have not yet ascetained the
xtent of our booty. The pursuit OF
he enemy still continues"