TERRIBLE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF ALLIED BOMBARDMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 159, 5 July 1916, Page 5

TERRIBLE DESTRUCTIVENESS OF ALLIED BOMBARDMENT.

SHELLS PLAY HAVOC WITH ENEMY TRENCHES. MOST BRITISH CASUALTIES DUE TO MACHINE GUNS. ______ . ; : J. WEEKS OF HEAVY FIGHTING AHEAD. (From Mr. Malcolm Koss, N.Z. Official War -Correspondent HEADQUARTERS, France, July 2. The bombardment in the great battle commenced yesterday morning along an extended section of the British and French front. The bombardments in Gallipoli, especially when the warships chimed in with heavy guns and secondary armament, were occasionally more spectacular, but this one far excelled them in intensity and extent. For hours the air was tremulous with throbbing sound of many hundreds of guns of varied calibre. The explosions were so quick that they could not be counted at any point of the line. At first, owing to the morning haze and the smoke from the preliminary bombardments throughout the week, there was low vfeibility, but the registration had been so excellent that this did not interfere with the accuracy and destructiveness of the fire. Aa the day wore on the visibility gradually improved, and the British shells could be clearly seen playing havoc with the enemy's trenches. The German wounded spoke of the terrible destructiveness of the bombardment. Many German prisoners, although unwounded, were haggard and greatly shaken. GUNS IN DUG-OUTS DURING THE SHELLING. Soon after the launching of the infantry attack the whole German front .trenches were in the hands of the British, and as the day advanced the second lines were pierced in several places. As our men went over the parapt the ominous orackle of machine-gun and rifle fire was clearly distinguishable through the noise of the lifted barrage fire. Many of the British wounded bore testimony to the fact that a considerable number of casualties were due to machine-gun fire. This was specially the case where guns were concealed in the villages through which the British had to fight. These gunSjwere saved from destruction by being kept during the shelling in deep dug-outs. While a large British force was making this attack, the French were eucccssful along a less exteneive front north and south of the Somme. COMPLETE MASTERY IN THE AIR. So far as one could see, the British had, throughout the day, complete mastery of the air. A few German aeroplanes came over, while their captive balloons had been largely destroyed by our new methods. On the other hand the British had many balloons up akmg the whole line. Near the Somme there was a constellation of 20 calmly observing for the batteries. This is only the beginning of what will probably be known as the battle of the Somme. There may be weeks of heavy fighting before our main purpose has been gained.