ON THE WAY TO BAGDAD
"Halt"
The assault on the forts (Erzerum) and the principal position lasted from February 11 till February 15 inclusive. After we had taken the forts on the left flank of the principal Turkish line of defense, extending about 27 miles, the fate of the forts in the centre and on the right flank, and, after them, of the second line forts and the principal defensive position, was decided on February 16 after short attacks. These fortifications, which were full of Turkish dead, remained in our possession.
During the assault on the fortress several Turkish regiments were annihilated or made prisoners with all their officers. On the line of forts alone we took 197 pieces of artillery of various calibres in good condition. In the defence works of the central fortress we took another 126 pieces of artillery. In the fortified region of Erzerum we took a large number of depôts of various kinds, which have already been mentioned by the Headquarter Staff. The exact number of Turkish prisoners is 235 officers and 12,753 men.
Russian Official Report on
the Capture of Erzerum.
