New-York tribune., 1915-03-02
Break East of Przasnysz
Made by Brigade OF
Russian Cavalry.
GERMANS ABANDON
GUNS AND WOUNDED
Petrograd Believes Invaders
Plan of Enveloping Movement
Has Failed Signally.
fRv Gable 10 The Tribune.

BY IdDle 10 ne lIlUuH''I
Petrograd, March LIT is now known
that a Russ ian cavalry brigade, headed
by Cossacks, pierced the centre of Won
Hidenburg's army last Friday at the
village Of Krasnoselz, on the River Or
ji-a, about midway between Ostrolen@a
and Przasnysz. Frantic efforts by the
Germans to cover their broken line cul-
minated in an amazing forty-eight
hours of close quarter fighting for the
possession of Przasnysz.
Two army corps, comprising at full
strength $4,000 men, were driven back
to the frontier from this region as a
result OF this Cossack drive at the Ger
mans centre.
The Russian cavalry was well up on
the flank of the Germs twenty lie
front stretching westward beyond
Przssnysz. The Germans began pour
ing fresh troops from / ntier, and
attempted to maintain battle stimuli
taneously eastward against the cavalry,
now supported by an fantry corps,
a d southwark against the chief Rus
sian strength advancing from the
Narew. The operations throughout were
of the tercest character, without the
possibility of manpuvrlng movements,
owing to the great number on both
sides. The Russians steadily shot and
charged their way through village after
village, while the Germans attempted
to form again and started counter at
tacks. Their southern line, however,
was gradually bent backward by as
saults sustained from Wednesday un' i
Saturday.
German prisoners, who were taken
in hundreds, complained that their for
nation had been in confusion. Some
times they were without leadership a
whole day and ammunition failed to
reach them.
Russians Divide Campaigns.
BY breaking the German line and
capturing the foremost depot the Rus
SLAMS divided the northern campaign
into two parts. The Germans on the
east have abandoned the initiative for
a stubborn defensive against the Rus
SLAMS moving westward from the Me
men. In the battles in the latter
region several guns and a great num-
Der Of prisoners were taken. The
prisoners belonged IL the famous Ger
man 2lst Field Corps, one OF the best
in the kaiser's army, which in peace
time is usually stationed at full
strength on the French frontier. Large
captures also were made around the
Augustowo forest from the 4Oth Re-
serve Corps, recently organized. Their
rifles and equipment were practically
rev.
Ossowetz is still being bombarded
with big guns borrowed for the pur-
pose from the Austrians, but the fort
less still stands mp, Tor the largest Of
these guns are not equal to the Ger
man monsters which smashed the Bel
gian fortresses. Hitherto there have
fecn no signs that the Germans will
be able 20 get this special form Of
their war machinery. Russian officers
confidently prophesy that, if they do.
the guns will hardly bear out their
reputation, for the only available posi-
tions are all on such soil as clay and
marsh, which would render it Impos-
sible TO inproyi5e adequate platforms
'or the giants. The last time the Ger
mans tOmbarded OssowetZ their shoot
ing was extremely erratic. owing TO
the sinking Of the big guns IN the
soft soil with every discharge
1t is asserted by Russian s,af Of
fcers that the Germans hope Of sue
cess during their operations of the
last fortnight along the northern front
was based upon their confidence IN
breaking the Russian line at Przasnysz
This attempt by the Germans to
strengthen the position OF their left
wing, which was an important part of
their plan for a gigantic encompass
ing moyement extending from Angus
towo TO Eastern Galicia, is said to-day
by the Russian leaders to have failed
definitely
Abandon Guns and Men.
Russian officers assert that the re-
tirement Of the Germans in the north
is more precipitate and disorderly
than any previous retreat in this thea
ire of the war. They state that the
Germans have abandoned large mum
bers of heavy and light guns, and have
even left behind slightly wounded sol
diers in an effort to execute hasty
retreat.
The lions share of the great achieve
ment Of breaking up Won HindenburF's
elaborate scheme within a fortnight
belongs TO the Russian cavalry, espe-
cla.ly their horses, which carried the
men splendidly over country where
sharp frost had made the surface Of
the thawed roads as slippery a. glass.
Great lighting seems now likely to
develop across the line of Niawa and
Thorn with the Russians from
PrZasrv.Z.
A. ne southeast corner Of the Rus
sian war line the main Austrian army
has been forced into dangerous posi-
ton. The Russians from the Stryj
Valley attacked from the wes. and
rapidly defeated all the oppo ing force
between Dolina and Starslau. An
other Russian column advanced ener-
get!cally along the left bank of the
Pruth and threatened the rear Of the
main Austrian quarters near Stanlslau.
The Austrians are now trying TO re-
trace lhelr route through kolomy tow
ard Bukowina, their communications
are in danger and decisive battle may
be forced on them near the Rumarian
frontier
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