Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-09-08
SlAvS AND GUNS
CAPTURED AT RIGA
German WarShipS Rain Shells
on Fleeing Russians.
CITY AFIRE AT MANY POINTS
Prince Eeopod's Troops Break
Through Foes Line in the Great
JaegeI District.

Several thousands of Russians were
takon prisoners by the Germans il
their drive in the Riga Togion, culmin
ating in the capture OF that strong
hold.
In addition more than 100 guns were
taken by the German forces in The
Great Jargel river district. This in
formation was contained in an otlicia
announcement from Berlin, which also
said that the city was on fire at many
points.
The Russian war office said the Rus
sian retirement was being continued
along tho coast in Il northeast crly di
rection and that hostile warships are
shielding the Riga coast. o. the Uxkull
district, the Satcmcnt adds. the Rus
slams arc retiring northward. having
been dislodgod by the Germans I'm the
Great Jacgol river region.
The Russian war Office announce
mont follows:
"ln the direction OF Riga on Mon
day our troops evacuated the town O,
Riga and blew up behind them the
notifications ut the mouth OF tho
Dv'na and bridges across the Dyina
the retirement Is being continued
along tho coast IN northcastcrly di
rcction. The villages of Ka6li. about
twentN-scvcn miles south OF Pcrna,
GOO miles north of Riga). Mainashtu
koshoul and Pidgc, on the Gulf OF Riga
coast, arc being shcllcd by enemy
ships.
"In tho direction Of UxkulI on Mon
lhoir success in northcrly direction
toward the Valenrode RSkoff road and
in northeastcrly direction. Towards
evening the enemy dislodged oul
troops In the Great .Tacrcl region, pen
etrating our positions on n front OF
thirteen VcrSts (ahout nine milcs) in
tho region Of Nalcnrodc and occupyina
II. Our troops are retiring northward
following tho enemy's penetration
measures were taken for tho rcadjust
ment Of our front.
"Rumanian front: In the direction
or CZernowitz, in the region south OF
tho village Of Slohcdzeia, enemy at
lacks were repulsed with heavy ci,cmy
doses. There were fusillades on the
remainder OF the front"
The German army headquarters an.
nOunccmcnt follows:
"Army group OF Prince Leopold:
After two days Of lighting the army
under the leadership Of Infantry Gen
eral Won IIutler took from the west
and southeast the city OF Riga, which
was ablaze at many points Our OK
perienced fighters everywhere broke
down the Russian resistance and In
All impetuous forward thrust overcame
every obstacle presented by the woods
and marshes. The Russians very
hurricdly evacuated their extensive
bridgchead west Of the Dvina and
Riga and our divisions now stand be
fore the mouth Of the Dvina
eDense masses Of troops are crowd
Ing along the roads from Riga in a
,northeastcrly direction in both day
and night marches.
South Of the great road and on
both sides Of the Great Jangel strong
Russian forces were thrown agains,
our troops in desperate and sanguinary
attacks to cover the withdrawal OF the
defeated twelfth army. In a bitter
struggle they were overcome by our
assaults and tho Great Road has been
reached at several points by our d.
visions. Some thousands Of Russians
were made prisoner and more than 15c
guns and countless war materials were
captured The battle near Riga is
another glorious page in the history
OF the German army"