Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15648, 21 July 1916, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Sir Douglas Haig's roports make it clear that the German counter-attack, which opened on Tuesday night, was a " ponderous onslaught" in considerable strength. Very largo masses of German reinforcements were collected for the attack, which was prepared by in.tense artillery fire. Tho first assault was made in the evening, and violent fighting continued all night on a short front extending from a point eastward of Bazentin to the vicinity of Guillemont. The British command was evidently well prepared for the attack, and the enemy was made to pay a very heavy price for his temporary success which gave him possession of portion of Belville Wood and a footing in the northern part of the village of Longueval. The Germans claim the capture of the whole of the wood and the village, together with nearly 300 prisoners and a "large number" of 'ma-chine-guns. The enemy asserts that sanguinary losses were inflicted on our troops, but Sir Douglas Haig insists that the enemy's partial and*temporary success was gained at the cost of the heaviest losses. There can be little doubt that the German losses considerably outweighed our own, not only in the vicinity of Longucval and Belville "Wood, but at other points on the line of assault, whore, according to Sir Douglas Haig, tjjeir violent attacks completely broke down under our fire. The latest report shows that heavy fighting is still in progress at Longaeval and Belville Wood,

in both of which positions most of the ground was regained on "Wednesday morning. South of the wood our artillery fire during the afternoon dispersed a large body of German troops who were massing -to attack "Watcrlot Farm from the direction of Guillemont. Apart from minor operations, there has been little or no activity on the French line north and south of the Somme, but the breaking of the enemy's counter-attacks on the British front will doubtless be the signal for a renewal of combined offensive operations. The continued inactivity of the enemy, anart from his vigorous artillery work, on the Meuee, suggests that this eector may have been drawn upon to furnish troops for the counter-attack north of the Somme. The French, from day to day, report slight gains at various points on both sides of the Meuse. "Whether the Ger|mans will now admit failure by a discontinuance of their five months' offensive against the Verdun lines, should bo apparent within the next few days. The German communique, dealing with the operations on the Eastern front, refers to repeated Russian attacks south and south-west of Riga. The

report, as received, makes no reference to operations in this sector. The Germans claim to have broken all the attacks and inflicted "extraordinarily high" losses on the Russians. Tho reference in the German report to artillery activity on the Stokhod suggests a preparation for further Russian attacks in this sector. Tho Russian

communique reports an advance towards the Carpathian passes southwest of Kuty. Unofficial messages refer to the presence of Russian cavalry in Hungary The Russian in Armenia is progressing favourably, advances being recorded south of Trebizond and west of Baiburt. Apart from Italian gains on the Corno del Coston in the Upper Posina valley, there have been no important developments in thi6 theatre.