South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-17
Tremendous Victory Which
Drove Cars Forces from
East Prussia Brought 50,-
600 Prisoners to Germans.
BATTLE NEAR LAKES
LASTS NINE DAYS
Only Remnants of Enemy ES-
cape and Are Pursued Across
Frontier = Young Recruits
Aid Veteran Soldiers.

BERLIN (By Wireless), Feb. IT,
The tremendous victory of the Ger
mans over the Russians in East Prus-
sia was won under the eyes Of EN-
peror William. More than $4,000 pris-
oners were taken by the Germans,
who also captured more than so can
non and 90 machine guns
Only a remnant OF the Russian
army which consisted of more than
100000 men, succeeded in escaping
across the frontier into Russia. A
vast quantity of ammunition and other
war supplies was abandoned by the
cars troops in their flight.
These facts are set forth I'm an Of
fetal statement issued at the war Of
lice today.
The conflict lasted for nine days in
the Mazurian lake region, and termin-
ated in a decisive triumph for the
Germans. The victory was later Gel
ebrated in the town of Lyck, where
Emperor William personally cOngat-
ulated his soldiers who sang ''Deutch-
land Ueber Allies in their eXultatiOn.
The war Office statement. which is
based upon an official report, from the
German general staff follows:
''In a battle lasting nine days in the
Mazurian lakes district the Russian
y
divisions and several cavalry divisions,
was not only driven out of its strongly
entrenched positions east of the lake
plateau. rut was also drive over the
frontier. being utterly defeated at al
most every point.
ca division OF infantry consists Of
$4,000 men. The Russian infantry in
this battle therefore numbered 19S.-
600 men and with the cavalry divis-
ions the 10th army was we'll over
2OO,0OO.)
Remnants of Army Escape.
only remnants OF the Russian
army managed TO escape TO the woods
east OF Suwalki and Augustowo lin
Russia) where they are being pursued.
The enemies losses were very high.
The number of prisoners taken by the
German troops has not yet been as
Certained definitely, but 1T was GER
tainly over $4,000. We captured more
than so cannon and 60 machine guns.
\ vast quantity of war material was
also taken but no figures are yet avail
able
Emperor William was present at
the decisive conflict in the center of
the fighting line.
The victory was won by the vet
eran East Prussian troops. and by
other troops, who, though young,
proved their worth in achievem ents.
These troops supported the fight
ing under the most fearful weather
conditions due TO torrential rains.
They marched and fought day and
night and their achievements against
such a stubborn enemy are beyond all
praise.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg di-
rected the operations. which were
carried out by the mastery hand Of
Lieut.. Gen. Won EichhOrn and Gen.
Won Buelow.
Battle For Lyck Important.
An important epic in the war was
marked by the battle for Lyck. which
offered the Russians a firm point of
support.
The Germans succeeded under the
eyes OF Emperor William in driving
the enemy out of the town on Feb.
Il. Immediately afterwards the en-
perOr appeared upon the street. The
German warriors eXultantly pressed
around the emperor, who spoke per-
sonally TO many men and officers.
suddenly the national anthem
''Duetschland Ueber Allies rang out
Later the emperor visited the out
skirts Of the town and was greeted
10y other troops stationed there. He
delivered an enthusiastic speech to
two battalion Of grenadier in which
he praised highly the achievements of
the troops"