tion of the
Russians and the southern corner of the great forest, meeting with
strong resistance at Dumbowa Ruda. The troops moving down from the
northern part of the woods swung to their right to cut off the
Russians from their retreat toward Kovno. By the time the operations
had reached this stage it was the second week in June, 1915, and in
the great pine forests extending for miles there was an oppressive
heat with perfect absence of breeze. Three Russian positions lying in
the river valleys in the forest were encircled one after another from
the north and had to be given up.

The Russians recognized the danger of the concentric attack directed
at them and fought with great bravery. They strove to keep open the
road of their retreat toward Kovno as long as possible. However, the
ring of the German troops closed swiftly. At Koslowa Ruda, in the
southern part of the forest, they found at night a sleeping army;
something like 3,000 Russians had lain down exhausted in order on the
next day to find the last opening through which to make their escape.
They were now saved the trouble and were led away prisoners. The great
forest was cleared of Russians. The German move had served to insure
the safety of the lines connecting the troops in Courland with their
bases to the south of the Niemen.

In an official announcement of the 18th of March, 1915, the German
Government sketched the line held in the east by the German troops
northward of the front covered by joint German and Austrian forces. It
read: "The line occupied by us in the east runs from the Pilica,
along the Rawka and Bzura to the Vistula. North of the Vistula the
line of our troops is continued from the region to the east of Plozkz
by way of Zurominek-Stupsk (both south of Mlawa). From there it runs
in an easterly direction through the region to the north of
Przasnysz--south of Mystinez, south of Kolno--to the north of Lomza,
and strikes the Bobr at Mocarce. From here it follows the line of the
Bobr to northwest of Ossowetz, which is under our fire, and runs by
way of the region to east of Augustowo, by Krasnopol, Mariempol,
Pilwiszki, Szaki, along the border through Tauroggen to the northwest.
This is from beginning to end entirely on hostile soil." This long
line, it appears, was under the supreme command of Von Hindenburg,
while Von Mackensen had charge of the great drive to the south.

The statement here quoted was issued as reassurance to Germans who had