Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-05
RUSSIANS TAKE
EVERY MEANS TO
F0RTIFy P|NSk
Overgfown Village a Vital
Factor in Fighting in East
ern Theater; Swamp C0un-
try Serves as Barrier
(Assoeiated Press Correspondence.

around Pinsk have been fortified since
the German army took its position
here last September as probably nc
other section on any front, east, OF
southeast The Pripet swamp, which
on account of the mild winter, has
formed a natural barrier between the
German and Russian lines, has check
ed both the German advance and the
Russian counter-attacks. But the
Germans have realized that single
cold snap might make the swamps
passable. and to forestall such thing
thev have resOrted to every known
expedient to make every foot of then
positions impregnable.
Pinsk in and about which the
German forces are lying, is an over
crown Russian village of $4,000 in
habitants. isolated, on tongue OF
land projecting eastward into the
swamps. An Associated Press CORES
pondent the first newspaper man ia
visit Pinsk front, and although he
has previously visited several positions
in both the eastern ana western thea
ters of war, the fortress-lke appear
ancc of the peninsula Of Pinsk" inn
pressed him remarkably. The city is
thanked on the south by the swift
running river Pina. Beyond the river
lies half a mile of swamp. Then
comes the river Strumen which to
the westward turns gradually and
Joins the Pima. Still further beyond
lies more swamp lands, which extend
for several miles TO the mainland and
the Russian position To the north
ward runs the river Jaasolda, thanked
on both sides by miles of swamp lands
on either edge of which lie the Ger
man and Russian forces.
Fortunately for the troops which
hold the northern section, the only
Mace where an offensive can reason
ably be expected, the swamp land ter
inmates in dunes which are easily
adapted for defensive purposes. Along
this northern section regiments or
cavalry have laboriously dug them
selves into the ground and have per-
fected every means to make it impos-
sible for the Russians to break
through. ~
Scheme of Defense.
The defense scheme is a series of
"Stuetzpunkte" or supporting points
At one place the supporting point Is
a villa, completely surrounded by
trenches. shelters and entanglements.
At another it is sort of fort built
into the earth. with subterranean pas
sages, protected by sand bags, earth
and wood, and ringed about with hun
dre,is of thousands OF running feet OF
barbed wire Each supporting point
is not over 500 yards distant from
each other. and they are connected
by wire entanglements from 100 to
200 feet i'm width.
The cavalry regiments that are
the northern section are
the finest in the German army.
Their officers include some of the
greatest mobiles in the empire whose
names are known all over the world.
For almost six months now they have
lain in their position, living alternately
in underground shelters and in the
great villa that stands on an elevation
plainly in view of the Russian posi-
lions.
How is it," asked the correspond
ent of Count S., cousin of
famous German naval commander and
chief Of the brigade, that the Rus
slams do not shoot your villa to pieces?
The nearest Russian artillery position
isn't more than six kilometers away.
The count laughed There seems
to be an unwritten and unspoken
agreement that we won't touch the
headquarters if they leave
ours alone. They have had ample
evidence of the accuracy of our guns
and know that We would demolish
their villa if we wanted to-
Unlimited Wood supply.
Thanks to the fact that there Is an
almost unlimited quantity of wood on
hand, for Pinsk in peace times is one
Of the timber centers Of Russia, the
Germans have been able to build,out
across the swamps and in this way
10 establish far-flung outposts on
every hammock of ground that is
large enough to bear a blockhouse.
Paralleling the Strumen half a mile
10 the south is narrow. muddy dixie
or dam that was built some time ago
by the Russians partly to check the
swamp waters, and partly as pros |
pective railroad bed This dam ex-
lends to within few kilometers of
he Russian outpost positions at LJu-
oanskawo and Gornove.
With the help Of wooden stagings
that crisscross the swamp in almost
every direction, the Germans have
Tree and easy access to this dixie. and
have erected on it a series of block j
houses or supporting positions which !
are veritable farsenals. Each is equip /
ped with machine guns, and from !
'ach extends, again on the stagings
to "Horchposten" listen +
ng sentry positions.
so near together are the block :
houses that care has to be exercised
not to sweep one with the artillery
IF the other To prevent such an
occurrence great painted signs have
'een erected in the swamp in front
Il each blockhouse, indicating how
ar to right or left the machine guns
IL any one fort may swing Without
bringing neighboring fort under
herman fire.
Almost due south Of the farthest /
uch biockhouse, which is said to be
he most easterly position with the
Germans now hold, are the Russian I
POSITIONS, at a distance of about 500 +
meters. Between the two lie a series :
II hay piles or stacks, piled up long
'efore the war.
swamp Prevent Attacks.
ItprauS.a -, =. s.xx,o -. % 9<o..,..tT..