South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-21
OSCieczkO, on DneiSter River,
is Captured by Cars Men
Along With a Crossing
of the River.
BATTLEMENTS REDUCED
TO RUINS BY ARTILLERY
Austrian Dragons, Refusing
to Surrender, Cut Their
Way Through Town Held
by the Russians.
international News Service

international News Service:
VIENNA. Cvia Berlin by wireless)
March z1.-After a gallant defense
OF six months by Austro- Hungarian
troops. Uscieczko. on the Dneister
river. north Of Czernowitz. has been
captured by the Russians, il was ad-
mitted today by the Austrian war Of
fee
The Russians have also gained
crossing of the Dneister at that
point
The Austro- Hungarian commander
evacuated the forts northwest Of the
town to avoid useless losses from
the Russian artillery which was
carrying out a violent bombardment
OF the place.
The attack on Uscieczko was part
of the general drive by the Russians
on the southern part of the battle
front by which they hoped to open
up a path through Bukowina
Following is the text Of the Aus
trian report:
East front. Yesterday. after six
and Notifications northwest OF Us
ciecziNo were evacuated. having
been changed into a heap sof ruins
by the Russians artillery.
Blasted Breach OF 800 Yards.
The Russians had already sue
ceeded in blasting a breach zoo yards
wide in the bridge. never heless our
soldiers. who were outnumbered
eight to one succeeded i'm with
standing the Russian attacks for
seven hours in spite of all losses
and the violent artillery and infantry
fire OF the enemy.
at O'Clock I'm the afternoon
Col Planokh. commanding the
AustrO- Hungarian forces at Us
cieczko. decided 10 evacuate the
trenches. which. by this time. had
been practically destroyed by the
Russian shell fire.
Small attachments. carrying
their wounded with them. succeeded
in reaching the south bank of the
Dneister in boats CUscieczko being
on the north bank.) but the artillery
fire Of the enemy was then concen-
trated on the stream and IL was i'm
possible for any more boats 10 cross
Refuse to Surrender
"The emperOrs DRAGONS refusing
TO surrender. decided To fight their
way from their Notifications through
the town Of UscieczkO which was
strongly held by Russians. and Join
other AustrO- Hungarian forces on
the heights north OF ZaleyzCZyli
The march through the enemy's
lines succeeded. Under the protec-
ton Of darkness Gel. Planokh led
his troops through the Russian po-
sitions Joining the forces north Of
Zaleyzczyki this morning.
Southwest 'front.': on the Cor
izia bridgehead the Austro-Hungar-
ians with their artillery set fire to
the Italians positions before the
southern part of Podgora heights
"In the afternoon the Austro-
Hungarian artillery heavily shelled
the Italians front before the bridge
head
I'm night attack we disIodged
the enemy from a trench before
Beyma.
Engagements at Talmino bridge
head resulted in the positions re-
naming firmly In our hands The
number OF Italians captured i'm the
lighting there has reached CPS. Seven
machine guns were taken
Several attacks 10y the enemy
against Mrzu and Krn broke down
under fire
ION Romson height our troops
dislodged the enemy from his posi-
ton. capturing AS men and two
machine guns.
Lively actions on the Cariuthian
fronts continue
''In the TyroI district the enemy
directed strong artillery fire against
col DiIana and our position south
OF there.