The sun., 1917-01-08
BATTLE RACES
ON THE SERETH
Russians Take Offensive on
Fifteen Mile Front in
Rumania.
TEUTONS ARE REPULSED
Cars Troops Regain Ground
in Heavy Fighting North
west Of FOcsani.
TEUTONS ARE REPULSED

LONDON, Jan. I'm a determined eff
fort to turn the tide of the Sereth battle
Russian troops took the offensive to-day
on fifteen mile front in Rumania. At
one point southwest of the river they
drove back the Teutons to the line Of
Raspitza Lake, and are still attacking
Heavy fighting continues also on the
Riga front. at the northern end of the
Russian line, where the Russians started
! a relieving offensive two days ago. All
the German counter attacks failed to
recapture any of the positions lost. hut
the German War Office says renewed
! Russian attacks were equally fruitless.
Russians Are Reinforced.
The Russian army on the Rumanian
front has been reinforced. the German
statement says, and fresh troops are be-
ing used in counter attacks. The re-
endorsements may have come from the
Dobrudja.
Along the whole Of the Sereth line,
which is fifty miles in extent and was
practically west to east from Focsani
to Galatz, Won Mackensen's progress
seems to have been halted.
West and northwest of Focsani. where
the line turns northwest, however a
fiuctuating struggle went on in the Car
pathian foothills and in the mountains
themselves. In the Focsani region the
Teutons had some success, pushing
through the foothills and nearer the
plain. while further north the fighting
went the other way.
The Teutons continued pushing their
way down the valley of the Suchitza.
northwest Of Focsani. and the Russians
and Rumanians. who here are fighting
together. retired a little distance east
ward. toward the main railroad that
tho Teutons aim to cut.
Russian Attack Extensive.
Reports differ as to the nature Of the
Russian counter attack. Berlin says II
was "a great attack" between Focsani
and Fundeni. which would place IT upon
the right wing OF the southern Sereth
line. The Russians gained a little
ground at one point, Berlin says, but
everywhere else we're beaten back. The
Russian statement implies that the sue
cess gained was considerable.
The German statement tonight said
that fighting was still going on near
Riga but did not say whether Russians
or Germans were attacking The day
German statement says:
Runanlan IrOnt-ATny Oh
Joseph: In the snow covered forests
of the Carpathans the cold was Sc
we're. The operations were confined to
patrol activity and isolated gun firing.
Between the Oituz and Putna VAL
leys several points of support were
captured by us and the Russians and
Rumanians were pushed back further
toward the plain. Strong counter
thrusts Of fresh forces failed to take
from us the ground gained.
Bavarians storm Mountain.
Army group of Field Marshal Won
Mackensen: The summit OF Mount
Adobesti was stormed yesterday by
the Munich Bodyguard Infantry Regi-
ment.
Between Focsani and Fundeni the
Russians launched a great attack on
front of twenty-five kilometers (fifteen
miles). Only in the direction Of Obil-
echti did they gain a little ground.
At all other places the Russian charge
broke down under heavy losses before
the tenacious resistance Of the German
troops Several hundred prisoners re-
manned in our hands.
Russian Front-Army OF Prince
Leopold: In the Mitau sector the
Russians again launched strong at
The number OF prisoners taken by us
has reached 1900.
Near Kiselin, to the west OF Lutsk,
q German patrol surprised a Russian
field post and brought back its occu-
pants as prisoners.
An attempt made by Russian COM
panies to capture one of our posts
southwest OF Stanislau (Galicia)
failed
The Rnssian Report.
The Russian War Office communca-
tion issued to-day says:
Western (Russian) Front Enemy
attacks against our positions between
the Tirul marsh the River IA and
south of the village of Kalnzem were
repulsed by our fire. During the bat
ties south Of Lake Babit and south OF
Riga 500 Germans were captured. In
the region OF the town OF Retchni.
northeast of Veleiki, an enemy air
plane landed. The aviators an Of
ficer and private, were made pris-
oners.
Rumanian Front: Our detachments.
az result OF a surprise attack cap
tured trenches in the Oituz Valley and
also a number OF prisoners. Enemy
counter attacks were repulsed. The
enemy's attempt to advance toward
the heights north OF the Kasino River
was repelled.
Russians Regain Ground.
Under pressure. the Russian and
Rumanian detachments occupying po-
sitions on the upper branch OF the
Suchltza and northwest of Focsani re-
tired little distance eastward. The
Russians by a counter attack in the