The first considerable battle in the Caucasus, after Turkey entered
the war, was decided in favor of Russia, on Jan. 3. On Jan. 16 the
Eleventh Corps of the Turkish Army was cut up at Kara Urgaun. On Jan.
30 the Russians occupied Tabriz. On Feb. 8 Trebizond was bombarded by
Russian destroyers. On May 4 the Turks were again defeated, leaving
3,500 dead.
The most recent considerable action was the taking of the ancient and
important City of Van, which is graphically described in Novoe Vremya,
June 19:
"When our armies scattered the forces of Halil Bey and
gained marked successes in the western part of Azerbijan,
the question of taking Van and the more important towns on
Lake Van arose. At the same time we received news of the
desperate situation of the Christians (Armenians) of the Van
vilayet, who had been compelled to take up arms against the
Kurds.
"Our division was directed to go to Van through the Sanjak
of Bajazet, crossing the Tatar Pass under fire of Turkish
regulars and Kurds. In spite of the Spring season, the whole
pass was covered with a thick carpet of snow, in places up
to our men's belts. At the highest point of the pass, 10,000
feet, we were forced to halt. After a brief rest we reached
Taparitz and were immediately in contact with the enemy, who
attacked with shell and rifle fire, but we soon silenced
them with our rifles and machine guns. Scattering, the Turks
and Kurds hid among the rocks and sniped at us.
"From Taparitz we advanced much more rapidly along the Abaga
Valley, then turned to the west along the River
Bendimach-Su, the best route to Van. We were informed that
Begri-Kala was strongly occupied by Turks who were
determined to defend it to the last.
"They began an irregular fire, which soon developed into a
hotly contested battle. We were compelled to reply with
bullet and bayonet. We took several mountain guns, many
rifles and cartridges and much ammunition. Many of the
enemy threw up their hands and surrendered. We liberated
several dozen Christian girls who had been captured by the
Kurds at the time of the Turk and Kurd raid on the Armenian
villages.
"We then resumed our march on Van, after driving the Turks
from the Village of Sor. The enemy gathered in the Town of
Janik, one march from Van, on the northeast shore of Lake
Van. To take Janik cost us several days' fighting. The Turks
fought desperately, undaunted by enormous losses, their dead
falling in heaps on all sides. The Turkish infantry fought a
brave and honorable fight, but the Kurds are foul fighters,
murdering and looting.
"Attacking directly with only a part of our forces, we sent
the rest by a long detour around the enemy's position,
taking the Turks in flank; then our men charged with the
bayonet, and the fight was over.
[Illustration: Scene of operation of Russians against the Turks in the
Caucasus.]
"The fall of Janik decided the fate of Van. On the night of
May 5 (18) the Turks evacuated Van, leaving twenty-six guns,
3,000 poods (a pood equals 36 pounds) of powder, their
treasure and documents; they went so silently that the
inhabitants did not know of it until the next morning.
"On May 6 (19) the birthday of Czar Nicholas II., we entered
antique Van, the centre of the large and once wealthy
vilayet of the same name, amid extraordinary rejoicings, the
entire Christian population coming forth to meet us,
strewing flowers and green branches in the streets and
decking our soldiers with garlands.
"The capture of Van is as important politically as it is
strategically. The advance on Mush and Bitlis is a necessary
consequence."