_An Associated Press dispatch from Berlin via London on July 18 said:_
The news of Field Marshal von Hindenburg's newest surprise for the
Russians, which the War Office announces has resulted in important
victories, was made known late yesterday, causing general rejoicing
and the appearance of flags all over the city.
Military critics attach great significance to the breaking of the
Russian lines and the consequent Russian retreat toward the Narew
River, particularly as the German advance between the Pissa and
Vistula rivers threatens to crumple the right flank positions of the
Russians.
With Field Marshal von Mackensen proceeding against the other flank,
the maintenance of communications offers a serious problem for the
Russians. The breaking of the Russian line near Krasnostav,
thirty-four miles south of Lublin, brings the Germans dangerously near
Cholm and Lublin, both of which points are of the highest importance
for the Russians in maintaining their position in the Vistula region.
The following official bulletin concerning the operations was issued
tonight by the War Office:
Portions of the army of General von Buelow have defeated the
Russian forces near Autz, where 3,620 men and six guns and
three machine guns were captured. They are pursuing the
enemy in an easterly direction.
Other portions of this army are fighting to the northeast of
Kurshany. East of that town an enemy advance position has
been stormed.
On the southeastern front the offensive was taken by the
army under General von Woyrich, which made successful
progress under the heavy fire of the enemy.
Our troops on Saturday morning took a narrow point in the
wire entanglements of a strongly fortified enemy main
position, and through this opening stormed an enemy trench
on a front of 2,000 meters (about a mile and a third). In
the course of the day the wedge was widened and pushed
forward, with tenacious hand-to-hand fighting, far into the
enemy's position.
In the evening the enemy's Moscow Grenadier Corps was
defeated by our landwehr and reserve troops. The enemy
retreated during the night behind the Iljanka River to the
district south of Zwolen, suffering heavy losses in their
retirement.
Between the Pissa and Vistula Rivers the Russian troops are
retreating and the troops of General von Schaltz and von
Gallwitz are close behind them.
The enemy is attacked and driven back where he offers
resistance in prepared positions.
Reserve troops and a levy of troops of General von Schaltz
have stormed the towns of Poremky and Wykplock, and
regiments of General von Gallwitz have broken through the
extended positions of Mlodzi, Nome and Kaniewo. The number
of prisoners was considerably increased and four guns were
captured.
From the north of the Vistula to the Pilica the Russians
also have begun to retreat. Our troops in a short engagement
during the pursuit made 620 prisoners.
Between the Upper Vistula and the Bug fighting continues
under the command of Field Marshal von Mackensen. The
Russians have been driven by the German troops from the
hills of Biclaczkowice, south of Piaski, as far as
Krosnoskow, and both these places have been taken by storm.
The fire of the Siberian army corps could not ward off
defeat. We made more than 1000 prisoners.