THE WESTERN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15649, 22 July 1916, Page 9

THE WESTERN THEATRE.

FRENCH SUCCESSES. GENERAL ADVANCE ON THE SOMME. GERMAN FIRST LINE POSITIONS CARRIED. NEARLY 3000 PRISONERS TAKEN. The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, July 20 (3.10 p.m.). A 1< ronon communique says : — "On both sides of tho domino the French infantry tnis morning attacked German positions, realising marked advantages. "North of the Sommo wo captured tho enemy's trenches from Ma melon do Hardecourt to the river, advancing tho French line eastward of Hardecourt to a front along tho Comblcs-Clery railway. "In that part of the battlefield we took nearly 400 prisoners. "South 'of the Sommo, between Barleux and Soyecourt, all the enemy's first-line trenches were taken."

(By Cabla.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Beuter'a Telegram*.) (Received July 21st, 9.25 p.;p.) PARIS, July 21. An official communique says:— ''North of the Sommo we consolidated the positions captured on Thursday morning.

"South of the Somme we extended our front, and in the course of the afternoon we entirely captured the first German position from Estrees to Vermandorillers.

"In the course of the day we took 2900 prisoners, three guns, 30 machineguns, and much material."

THE BRITISH FRONT. IMPORTANT GAINS MADE. AUSTRALIANS' GREAT TRENCH RAID. (Australian arid N.Z. Cable Aasociation.) LONDON, July 20. Sir Douglas Haig reports:— '•We regained a little ground in Belville Wood and at Lorigueval, where the struggle continues. "We also pushed forward our line north of LongUeval and Bazentin this morning, capturing Borne prisoners and guns. "East of the Leipzig Redoubt our bombing parties made a substantial advance during the night. "Elsewhere the main battle area is chiefly marked by artillery activity, with no alterations in position. "The diary of a German commanding officer shows that on July Ist the 6th Bavarian Regiment, fighting at Montauban, lost 3000 oiit of 3600 men. A battalion of the 190 th Regiment lost 980 taen out of 1200. Two other battalions of the 190 th Regiment lost over half their effective strength. "We carried tnt yesterday evening south of Armentieres 6ome important raids on a front o'f two miles, in which the Australians took port. About 140 Germans were taken prisoners." The Hi«rh Commissioner reports:— LONDON, July 21 (1.15 a.m.). Sir Douglas Haig reports:— "On our front north of the Bazen-tin-Longueval lino we advanced about 1000 yards in spite of the enemy's stubborn opposition. "Heavy fighting still continues on the northern outskirts of the village of Longuoval and Belville Wood. "On the remainder of tho front, the situation is unchanged "

THE GERMAN REPORT, PARTIAL SUCCESS ADMITTED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received - Julv 21st, 10.5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM. July 21. A German communique says:— "The English, in considerable force, attacked our positions west and north of Fromelles (half-way between Armen. tieres and La Bftssee). Our counterattacks threw them back from tho points at which they penetrated our lines. "The English again penetrated Longueval and Belville Farm. Our cotintor-attacks compelled them to retire though they still hold portions of tho village and the farm.

"British and French attacks along the whole front from Foureaux Wood to tho Sonime began on Thursday morning. Their first attack was broken

"The French during the afternoon made two unfruitful attacks in the region of Belloy-en-Santerre. They were repulsed three times during the morning in the Estrees-Soyecourt sec-