The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-02-23
Russian Losses 10000
In Battle of the Lakes
Captured in Mazuian Region and 40 900 More in Bobr
and Narew Districts, Berlin Claims
BY FRANCIS LANELLE MURRAY.

Petrograd. Feb. 1.-THE first detailed
story OF the Russian retreat from East
Prussia was issued by the war Office to-
day together with an announcement that
during the last two days the Russians
have captured about loo German pris-
oners in GaIicia. The war Offices COM
munique shows that the Tenth Russian
army had a narrow escape from destruc-
ton. but that it finally eNtricated itself.
though heavy losses were inflicted on
both sides: The statement follows:
The Germans have convinced them
, selves after series OF exceptionally
tenacious and obstinate attacks, which
cost them innumerabie victims OF the
mpossibility of piercing our positions on
the left bank of the Vistula. proceeded at
the end of January to carry out a new
plan.
Russians Were Surprised.
Having concluded the formation in
the interior of their country of several
new corps. they decided TO continue the
transportation of troops from the west
ern front in order to bring them into
operation against us. The Germans. maxi
ing use of their highly organized network
Of railroads. set great forces in motion
in Eastern Prussia with the intention of
defeating our Tenth army, which occu-
pied strong positions along the AnSerapp
River and the Mazurian Lakes.
ITO insure the success of this stroke
the Germans transported part of their
contingents from the Bzura -Rawka
front to the right bank of the Wis.,
tula.
The German concentration in East
ern Prussia was disclosed February 4.
but the extent of the concentration
could only be established some days
later. Not being able, owing to the
lack of railways. to assemble with the
necessary rapidity on the Eastern
Prussian front forces indispensable to
meet this development adequately. we
decided to withdraw the above-men-
toned army from Eastern Prussia to
the frontier and farther toward the
Niemen and Bobr rivers.
Corps Nearly wiped Out.
in this movement the right wing
of the Tenth Army. pressed by great
forces of the enemy, was threatened
with development The right flank
was forced into a very rapid turning
movement in the direction of kovno.
This rapid movement exposed the
sequently found itself in an extremely
difficult position. Only isolated ele-
ments succeeded in escaping.
tThis tends to confirm the official
claims made in Berlin that the Rus
slams suffered terrific losses in East
Prussia. Russian corps numbers
from 10000 to $4,000 menu
THE other corps of the Tenth army
fell back slowly In the direction assign
ed them, fighting stubbornly, necessarily.
and valiantly, repulsing the enemy's at
lacks and inflicting upon him heavy
losses. while all the time having to over
come incredible difficulties caused by the
deep snow which blotted out all roads
As the roads were quite impossible motor
transports and vans could not move.
Supply trains were delayed. often not
reaching their destination at all.
Fighting Is Heavy.
The corps forming the left wing of the
Tenth army held off the enemy nine days
in the country which under ordinary cir
can be traversed In four
days. On February 10 and February
1870 these corps, retiring by way o.
Augustowo. emerged from the fighting
area and occupied the positions assigned
them.
AT the present moment. fighting on
the German front continues in the vicin-
ity Of Ossowic on the railroads from
Lomez to Jedwabno. north of Radzilow
and half way between Flock and Plonsk.
In some places the engagements are of
a very stubborn nature. On the right
bank OF the vistula and on the roads to
Piock. Austrian elements have been dis
covered among the German troops