one field gun, more than 100 rifles, fifty-three ammunition wagons,
supply trains and other war material. This, taken in connection with
the fact that practically the entire Turkish garrison escaped,
confirms the view expressed previously that the capture of Trebizond
was of great importance to the Russians, not so much on account of
what they themselves gained thereby, but on account of what the Turks
lost by being deprived of their principal harbor on the Black Sea,
comparatively close to the Caucasian theater of war.

The Turkish artillery attack of May 5, 1916, in the Erzingan sector
was duplicated on May 7, 1916, but this time the Russians used their
guns, and apparently with telling effect. For so devastating was the
Russian fire directed toward the newly established Turkish trenches
that the Turks had to evacuate their entire first line and retire to
their second line of defensive works. Throughout the entire day on May
8, 1916, the Turks doggedly attacked the Russian positions. Losses on
both sides were heavy, especially so on the Turkish side, which hurled
attack after attack against the Russian positions, not desisting until
nightfall. Though no positive gain was made thereby, the Russians at
least were prevented from further advances. The same day, May 8, 1916,
yielded another success for the Russians in the southern sector, south
of Mush. There, between that town and Bitlis, stretches one of the
numerous mountain ranges, with which this region abounds. On it the
Turks held naturally strong positions which had been still more
strengthened by means of artificial defense works. A concentrated
Russian attack, prepared and supported by artillery fire, drove the
Turks not only from these positions, but out of the mountain range.

On May 9, 1916, engagements took place along the entire front. In the
center fighting occurred near Mount Koph, in the Chorok basin
southeast of Baiburt, and the Turks made some 300 prisoners. Farther
south a Turkish attack near Mama Khatun was stopped by Russian fire.
In the south another Turkish attack in the neighborhood of Kirvaz,
about twenty-five miles northwest of Mush, forced back a Russian
detachment after capturing some fifty men. All this time the Russians
were industriously building fortifications along the Black Sea coast
both east and west of Trebizond. During the night of May 9, 1916, the
Turks made a successful surprise attack against a Russian camp near
Baschkjoej, about