a of its invaders. These reenforcements were sent to
the right and left wings of the Mazurian Lakes-Angerapp line, and the
former began its attack in February. A few days before an exceptionally
heavy snowfall, accompanied by very high winds and very low
temperatures, had set in. This not only added to the hardships of the
troops, but increased immensely the difficulties with which the leaders
on both sides had to contend. On account of the weather the roads became
impassable for motor cars and the railroads were hardly in better
condition. At no time could a general count with any amount of certainty
on the prompt execution of movements. Trains were delayed for hours and
regiments appeared in their allotted positions hours late.

The right wing of the German front was sent around the southern end of
the lake chain by way of Johannisburg. There the Russians had thrown up
very strong fortifications in connection with the dense forests
surrounding this town. To the southeast the river Pisseck forms the
outlet for one of the lakes and flows toward the Narew. This line, too,
was held by the Russians, who had considerable forces, both in
Johannisburg and to the east in Bialla. In the late afternoon and during
the night of February 8, 1915 a crossing over the Pisseck was forced and
Johannisburg was stormed. Russian reenforcements from the
south--Kolno--arrived too late and were thrown back with considerable
losses in men and guns. In spite of the bitter cold the Germans pressed
on immediately. They took Bialla on February 9, 1915, and then
immediately pushed on to Lyck with part of their forces. This town, like
so many other East Prussian towns, had suffered cruelly, having been in
the thick of the fighting almost from the beginning of the war. Now the
Russians again made a most determined stand in its vicinity, induced, no
doubt, chiefly by the defensive advantages which the territory offered
here. To the west of Lyck, beyond the Lyck Lake, they had built up very
strong intrenchments which resisted all German attacks for days, and it
was not until the middle of February, 1915, that they gave up these
positions. But even then they continued to hold Lyck itself, and it was
not taken until after the middle of the month. The other part of the
right wing in the meantime had forced the Russians out of the southeast
corner of East Prussia and was advancing against Grajeko and Augustovo.

In the north the German left wing had pushed