Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-02-19
ERZERUM TAKEN AT
POINT OF BAYONET
Charge Of Caucasian Troops Said TO
Be Most Brilliant Feat Of
the War.
TURKS TAKEN BY SURPRISE

PETROGRAD, Feb. 1s.-(Via
London. The fall of Erzerum, the
most important Turkish stronghold
iu Asia Minor, and for long time
considered impregnable, offers the
Unprecedented SPECTACLE OF a first
class fortress built on steep noun
tain ridge a mile above sea level
yielding to bayonet attack after only
thirty hours bombardment.
The operations were conducted un-
Ger the most severe weather condi-
tons, the snow being deep and the
thermometer registering at times
more than 80 degrees below zero,
Fahrenheit.
Turks Taken by surprise.
! The Turkish army defending Erzerum
taken BY surprise under the methods
adopted by the Russians. is now said to
be in disoredrly nIsht on the roads lead
ing 20 sivas As the garrison apparently
scattered In all directions. II Is assumed
here that large numbers OF men were
NtAhfu DFlHOitIEt ulAuOHkH OlllIlnl
are still lacking.
After the taking OF Nlksala appeared
that the Russian attack would be directed
upon the Turkish right flank and by
rapidly transferring troops the Turks
made all plans to resist the main assault
from this quarter. Apparently they had
little fear Of the success Of this attack be-
cause OF the strong character Of the forth
noations In that direction and even less
apprehension OF danger from n frontal
attack
Most brilliant Feat Of War.
Nevertheless, after the Russians took
by storm the first line forts on February
2 there began a persistent bombardment
OF the Turkish center. followed by a
bayonet charge, the impetuosity OF which
swept the defenders off their feet. The
highest tribute Is paid TO the bravery OF
the Caucasian troops. whose charge Is
considered likely to so down in history
as one Of the most brilliant fcats OF the
war
II is recognized here that the success
OF the assault was due almost entirely 10
the bayonet work Of these troops. since
tho artillery preparation was insufficient
IN intensity and duration. according to
military experts, TO reduce even a strong
field position.
The wiping out OF this Turkish base
tends to disrupt the whole Caucasus cam
paign OF the Turks, as It not only served
as a base OF the operations in the Cdu-
casus, but also OF those in Mesopotamia.
It's fail leaves no strongly fortified point
between Erzerum and sivas. about go
miles to the west, and brings more 10
the front consideration OF an eventual
attack upon Constantinopie from the east.
Attempt at Recapture Expected.
An attempt to retake Erzerum is an.
tlcipated. but there are enormous diff
culties attending the bringing up OF Tur-
klsh achievements. as II IL assumed that
Turkish forces in Mesopotamih cannot be
spared. The alternative for the Turks
seems 70 be 10 draw upon those at Con-
stantinopie, from which all possible
routes towards Brzerum are long and
arduous. The most practicable Is by
railway. to Urfa. whence II would be
necessary TO march overland moro than
300 miles.
The Black Sea route to Trebizond has
become impracticable because OF the
Russian domination OF the Black Sea
littoraI
sivas IL regarded as the next probable
objective OF the Russian armies The
capture OF Erzerum has had the effect
OF making more secure the Russian POSI-
tions along the Black Sea.