RUSSIAN ARTILLERY SUPERIOR

“Both sides fought with great obstinacy, but the nearer we approached Lemberg the harder the struggle became.  However, it soon was evident that we were superior in artillery.

“At length the enemy was driven from all sides beneath the protection of the Lemberg forts.  Our troops were very weary, but in high spirits.

“For two days the fight raged around the forts, but we were always confident of the prowess of our artillery.  The big guns of both sides rained a terrific hail down on the armies, which suffered terrific losses.

“At last we noticed that the resistance of the forts was growing weaker.  A charge at double quick was ordered, and we carried the first line of works.

“It was evident from that point that many of the enemy’s guns had been destroyed.  Not enough of them had been left to continue an effective defense, but the enemy was undiscouraged and tried to make up with rifle fire what it lacked in artillery.

LOSSES BECOME HEAVIER

“Between the first and second lines our losses were heavier than before, but under bayonet charges the enemy broke and fled in panic.

“Our troops entered the town at the enemy’s heels.  We ran into the town, despite our fatigue, with thunderous cheering.

“An episode which had much to do with ending the enemy’s dogged resistance occurred during the fighting between the first and second lines.  The Austrians in the hope of checking the Russian effort to encircle the town had thrown out a heavy screen of Slav troops with a backing of Magyars who had been ordered to shoot down the Slavs from behind if they showed any hesitation.

“This circumstance became known to the Russian commander, who ordered a terrific artillery fire over the heads of the Slavs and into the ranks of the Magyars.  This well-directed fire set the whole line in panic.”

More than 35,000 Austrians and Russian wounded were abandoned on the field of battle between Tarnow, Lemberg and Tarnopol owing to lack of means of transportation, according to reliable reports.  Both armies declined to ask for an armistice for the burial of the dead and the collection of the wounded, each fearing to give an advantage to the other.

THE BATTLE BEFORE LEMBERG

The immense superiority of the Austrian forces east of Lemberg enabled the Austrians at first to adopt the offensive.  As soon, however, as the Austrians realized the impossibility of an advance on Warsaw they concentrated their large and overwhelming forces in an attempt to outflank the right wing of the Russian army, which was drawing slowly but surely towards Lemberg, On the other Russian flank the two Russian army corps, after crossing the River Zlota Lipa without much opposition, continued their advance to the River Knila Lipa, where they found the bridges had all been destroyed by the Austrian advance guards.  Two bridges were constructed on the Rogarten-Halicz line, which enabled a crossing to be effected in spite of heavy and incessant artillery fire from the Austrian 24-centimeter guns.