Let us now attempt to describe briefly the fate of
these numerous German movements, so far as it has hitherto been settled, taking them in geographical order from north to south. The advance from Mlava, on the East Prussian frontier, penetrated southwards towards Warsaw for some twenty-five miles ; the comparatively small forces engaged were then decisively beaten, driven back over the frontier, and even pursued for some miles into East Prussia. The great advance against the Russian right centre—that is, up the left bank of the Vistula—has penetrated as far as the Bzura (a tributary of the Vistula running some thirty miles west of Warsaw), but seems for the present to be held there securely. The situation at this point is most singular; for though the German left flank is covered by the Vistula, the opposite bank of that river is still held by the Russians, who can thus prevent the Germans from using it for the all-important purpose of supply. The stream is about half a mile wide, and at present remains unfrozen, while the only available bridge is at Plock, a town twenty-five miles behind the German front, which until recently, at all events, was still held by the Russians. The German uneasiness caused by this obstacle upon their flank led them to attempt to bridge the river at a point nearer their front. This, however, they completely failed to do.
