The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-10-28
RUSSIANS WERE AMBITIOUS

The Russian army also came ON the
scenes. Its movement in the second
half of March against our eastern front
was much mere than an attempt OF
relief offensive. 1t was to be n decfs-
i've battle, and had been undertaken In
this spirit. Captured army orders were
found. speaking of driving the enemy
back beyond the frontiers Of the em-
pire.
Since the beginning of March rumors
had been current of a proposed often
sive against wilma. A concentration OF
troops had been observed east of Smor-
gon ESQ miles east of Vilna). The Smor-
gon-Vilna region seemed to be indi-
Gated. Reports of coming offensive
also reached us from DyinSk and ia
kobstadt GAO and IS miles southeast
of Riga and the latter $50 miles north
of Smorgon). Counter measures were
taken.
| We gathered that it was not exactly
imminent and l decided to go for two
| days to Berlin on family matters, and
attend the wedding of Captain Prince
| Joachim of Prussia, who had been
| valuable member of our staff since au-
tumn, 1914. / was in Berlin on March
IL and IL, when I received news which
seemed to indicate that the attack was
| to begin shortly. So I was relieved to
find myself back at Kovno.
| The Russian bombardment began on
! the 10th, not in the Smorgon region,
| however, as 1 expected, but on the mar
row front between Lakes Uarotch and
| Vischniev, on both sides of the Svent-
| sianyPostavy railway, and southwest
of Dvinsk. (This was line of about
| 80 miles, running directly south of
Dvinsk) The artillery duel was of un-
precedented intensity for the eastern
front. 1t was resumed on the 18th. On
the 18th the infantry attacks began
to-
end of March
AIMED TO CUT OFF WING
The Russian aim was to cut off our
north wing in the direction of Kovno
and compel it to retreat by attacks at
to be thrown back against the coast
north of the Niemen. This plan was
conceived on grand scale.
The first move in this enveloping
process was to break our front in the
| direction of Sventsiany $50 miles north
| east of Vilna) by the two attacks from
| the Vischniev-Norotch sector and at
| Postavy. The front was wide and well
chosen. Our reserves would have been
sufficient to close up the gap. Besides
\ this, it was very difficult to rush them
up to the line. owing to the bad rail-
way connection with Lake Narotch.
| rhe-railway was in process of construc-
| lie 8
| rest would follow. The way to Kovno
would lie open.
The attacks on the northern portion
| Of our front were made from the south
| of Lake Drysviaty, near Vidsy (within
40 miles of Dvinsk. southwark. and
chiefly from the bridgeheads at Dvinsk
| and Jakobstadt.
From the 18th to the z1st Of March
the situation Of the Tenth array was
critical, and the numerical superiority
OF the Russians overwhelming. On the
| 21st they won q success ON the narrow
lake sector which affected us gravely,
and even the attack west Of POstavy
was only stemmed with difficulty.
ROADS WERE BOTTOMLESS
The ground had become soft, and in
that marshy country water collected in
| ponds; the roads were literally bottom
less. The reserves which we drew from
the Tenth army could only make slow
| progress from the Vilna-Dvinsk rail-
way by wading through the swamps.
Everyone was strung up to the highest
pitch of anxiety, wondering what would
happen next.
But the Russians, whose offensive
we had In and behind our pOsitioas,
were exhausted, and VIXEN the RusGian
offensive again reached its highest
pitch on March 70 we lad practically
overcome the CRISIS.
The position of Scholtx's army group
Of the Eighth army was no less diff
cult. Although holding . long front,
the 'Iefbhusaren'' brigade was COM
PEELED to defend itself at vidsy against
i the massed attacks Of the enemy. It
achieved wonders. Further north at
Dvinsk the enemy made particularly
j determined attacks. Divisions Of the
Oldest classes fought with the same
sacrifice - the younger comrades at
| their side.
/ The front was particularly tim It
| JakostAdt but the West PrussiAn reg
iments there did their duty.
Tie attAeks ~ TIE e0any eo11nUosa.
r. Rnaainn Seeen9ive w. natex1ne -