THE GREAT OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2813, 3 July 1916, Page 5

THE GREAT OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST

TERRIFIC STRUGGLE IN PROGRESS BRITISH AND FRENCH FIGHTING GALLANTLY .The High Commissioner reports:— v ■ . , LONDON, July i, 12.55 p.m. "The British offensive began at half-past seven this morning, on a twenty-mile front.-' x "The enemy's first line of trenches were taken, with many prisoners, after an lour and a half of vigorous preliminary bombardment." RENT TORN IN THE ENEMY'S LINE The High Commissioner reports: London, July 1, 2.5 p.m. . ■ .'A British official message states: "An attack was launohed on the. German line north of the Somine this morning, in conjunction with the French. "The British broke into the German forward defences on a front of 1G miles. "Pjghtinj continues. ' "The French attack.on our immediate Tight is proceeding equally satisfactorily. . ■ • "On the remainder-of the British front raiding, parties again, have penetrated ( the enemy's defences at many points, inltioting loss and taking 6ome prisoners." FOSITWNS CAPTURED IN GALLANT FIGHTING Tho High' Commissioner reports: .-.,-■ • London, July 1, 6 p.m. 'Ihe British have taken Serre ajid Montauban, and fighting is progressing at the villages of Mametz and Conitalmaison, parts of,-which they hold. They araoJso holding ground to the northwards. / village of Fricourt is still in German hands. ■ "Attaoks are being made at Beaumont Hamel, La Boisello being taken. "The British are fighting gallantly, and have made many, prisoners in the tront lines. "The French aro advancing with steadiness and gallantry, covering the ground quickly after their assault, for two kilometres (1 l-sth mile) bcyoud the enemy s front line, and capturing C'urlu and tho Favicro Wood." TRENCH RAIDERS ALSO BUSY (By Telegraph—Press Asiooiation--Copyright). (Rec. July !>, 5.5 p.m.) ~• ~,„., London, July 1. bir IJouglas Haig (the Britisli Commander) reports:—"Our patrols and re.» oonnoitnng and raiding parties have continued active operations all along our tront, and entered the German trenches at many points. "A strong raiding party south of Neuve Chapelie penetrated to the German supporting line. ( ,',' The weather has been unfavourable for aerial work. The German ■ heavy artillery has boon in action all day on our front between boaohez, Hohenzollern, and the Outznoe ragion." DISPATCHES FROM THE WAR CORRESPONDENTS GALLANT ATTACKS ON THE ENEMY'S POSITIONS The High Commissioner reports:— .„-, ~r . „,, , ' London, July 1, 9.30 p.m. _rhß AforniDg Posts' correspondent wires from tho British right:— "The battle is steadily increasing In intensity, being particularly severe north of the River Anore. The enemy is making a strenuous resistance at several villages, but tho gallantry.of the British lias resulted in a gradual working round at various strong points. Fricourt is almost surrounded, and so, also, is tho Gommecourt salient; Mametz lias boon captured, and a counter-attack at Montauban repulsed.. . ■■ . "Fifteen hundred prisoners have been taken to date, and others aro coming in. "Our aviators bombed Lille station. When returning, they were attacked oy twenty Fokkers, two of which were brought down. "The British are making many raids on tho northern part of tho line." OUR NEW ARTILLERY STRENGTH (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright).. (Rec. July 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 1. Tho "Morning Post's" correspondent at Headquarters reports:—"The British artillery along the entire eighty miles of front has reached a vigour hitherto unapproached. Undoubtedly we have begun to get the guns and ammunition for which we have been waiting, and are using thorn to the fullest extent. Elbert artillerists beliove that we aro not only equal to the enemy, but haTO a 'jull over the Germans, in this matter of artillery. Your correspondent visited the section where tho enemy has had tho worst time ho has over oxporiinccd sinco the British shells burst overhead. Tho German reply was singularly feeble, and gavo the impression that the enemy was in a sullen mood, not liking Bur now guns or shells. , .. "The Germans have mostly hauled clown their kite balloons. I counted fourteen British balloons on a short front, but not a single German balloon. The recent trench raids have served a most useful purposo by disolosing the identity of every German battalion from the sea to the Sorame.

"Sorao of the prisoners had not tasted food for throe (lays, and woro weary and famished. They gladly deserted. .Wo learned of the withdrawal of eight German divisions from the Western, front, transferred to the Eastern front, in tho hope of stemming the Russian adTanoe. A story is current that one of these divisions—tho 11th Bavarian—disobeyed tho order to ro-attaclc Vordnn. Everj tenth man was ordered to be shot, but this order was countermanded after tho King of Bavaria had mado a personal appeal to the Kaiser, "The bombardment continues with tho utmost sevority. Our patrols report that many of the German trenohes are desertefl, and their defences and wires damaged." "Bloody Fighting Before the End Conies." The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent writes:—"The French, aro following the British tactics, and worrying tho enemy by trench assaults from Reims to Soissons. Tho enemy is losing men, "guns, and heart. Although, there is now terrible proof that wo possess an artillery equal to tho Germans, it would be unwise to placo unduly high, hopes on this. There must be bloody fighting before tho cud comes." Another correspondent, writing from Paris, states:—"Yesterday's bombardment was mora violent than any of its predecessors. -In some parts the British poured 6hells in at tho rate of sixteen per second. Houses in towns twentyfive miles distant trembled, while the ground shook. The spectaole at night time was most impressive. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but a horizon of fire. Tho Gorman positions wera enveloped in fire and smoke, and an immense red reflection, filled the heav ens." . N GERMAN OFFIQAL COMMUNIQUE London, June JO. A Berlin communique states: "During Thursday night, English and French attacks weio repulsed at various points; one near Richebourg, by 'an immediate counter-attack. "The enemy has continued his futilo gas attacks and intense artillery fire uninterruptedly. , (Rec. July 2, 5.5 p.mfl London, July 1. 'A' German, wireless message states: "Repeated' English and French rloonnoitring attacks at many points have everywhere 'fceen repulsed. The AttacksTvero preceded by an intense artillery fire, a gas attack, and a mino explosion. The fightincr has appreciably increased on both _ sides of the Somme: "The enemy made aorial attacks on Lille, but did no military damage. Many oivilians were killed, espeoially in tho Ch uroh of Saint Saveur, where the killed and wounded exceeded fifty. , _ • "A number of tho French inhabitants were killed or wounded at Dc-naj Bapaume, Peronne, and Ncsle by French and English gun fire and air craft bombs." GERMANS BRINGING" UP LONG-RANGE GUNS. Amsterdam, June 30. The Germans in Central Belgium aro conveying to the front now batteries of guns- of exceptionally heavy calibre. All Belgians from fifteen to forty-five years of ago in occupied districts have bfeen compelled to register, and ere not allowed to be absent for more than twelve eonseoutivo hours from tho locality where they are registered. . LATEST REPORTS OF THE GREAT BATTLE CONFLICT RAGES THROUGHOUT 1 YESTERDAY TOLL OF PRISONERS SPEEDILY MOUNTING ' , (Rec. Juiy 2, 11.30 p.m.) ( . London, July 2. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"There has been heavy fighting all day long between the Somme and the Ancre, and northward of uhe Ancre as' far as Gomrnecourt, inclusive. Tho fightton the whole of this front continues with great intensity. _ < "We have captured on the right the Labyrinth tranches, a seven-milo front to a depth of one thousand yards, and stormed and occupied tho stronglyfortified villages of Montauban. and Mnmotz. "We have gained in the centre attack on a fourtmile front many strong points. The enemy at other points, aro still resisting. The struggle hero is severe. "The battle northward of the Aisci'e Valley to Gommecourt is equally violent. Here we were unable to retain the portions, of tho ground gained in the 'first attack?, but we retain the 6th ors. "Upwards of two thousand Germans have been taken prisoner, including two regimental commanders, and the whole of one regimental staff. "Tho largo number of the enemy's dead indicate that the German casualties arc very severe. "Raiding parties penetrated tho German trenches at various points between Souchez and Ypres on Friday night, inflicting casualties, . "Muoh successful air work was accomplished agairfet the enemy's railway depots, junctions, trains, batteries, and trenohes." ' . GOOD WORK BY THE FRENCH (Rec. July 2, 11.30 p.m.) i • . . Paris, July 2. A French offioial communique states: —"Northward and southward of the Somme the Franco-British armies have developed an offensive alpng a forty kilometre (24 miles) front, and captured the first German position along the whojo front of the attack. The French, northward of tho Somme, have established themselves on the outskirts of Maricourt and t-he friugo.of the village of Curlu, where fighting continues. "Southward of the Soinmo the villages .of Dompierro, Becquincourt, Busius, and Fay (all just souti-wost of Peroiiue), aro in our hands. "The French alone have.taken prisoner upwards of 3500 unwounded men." , HOW THE RUSSIANS' ARE 'HELPING'.: (Rec. July 2, 11.30 p.m.) . ' London, July 2. Keuter's correspondent with the. British Headquarters sialics: "It is known that tho 11th Bavarian Division at Verdun, and the 22nd ftcserye Corps, and Tenth Army Corps at Champagne, havo been sent to the Eastern front, with probably also three other divisions." GREAT EXCITEMENT IN LONDON' . (Rec. July 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 1. The news of the British offensive has created unprecedented excitement in London. OUR SECOND WAR ANNIVERSARY-BUSINESS ONLY ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Eec. July 1, 5.5 p.m.) Uondon, July 1. Mr. Asquith ('the Prime Minister) hasdeclined the request of i!h& churches that. he should proclaim August i (the second anniversary of the British declaration of war on Gormany) as a day of prayer, asthe observances would interfere with the production of munitions. OTHER OPERATIONS IN THE WEST FRENCH RECAPTURE THIAUMONT The High Commissioner reports:— „* „,, London, June 3ft 3.10 p.m. "la Belgium, at 8 p.m. yesterday, following upon artillery preparation, the Germans attacked our salient near tho Nieuport-Loinbaertzydo road, am immediate counter-attack ejecting the enemy from tho olement of a 'trench wharo they had . taken a footing. . "Between Chaulnes and Roye a strong German reconnaissance was dispersed under our fire before Teaching our trenches. "Between the Oise and the Aisno two other patrols were at Queunoviercs and Vingre. „ T , , , , "Iu Champagne a grenade attack by tho enemy on the French advanced posts westwards of Butte <lu Mesn.il wb3 easily repulsed. ~.,,,, "On the left bank of the Mouse, tho Germans multiplied their evening and night oiTensives from Avocourt Wood to Hill 301. A series of most violent local attacks, preceded by intense bombardments, accompanied by liquid nr«, on the two principal ealieu'ts between Avocourt Wood and Hill 304, was broken by our fire, with heavy losses to tho enemy. East of Hill 304, after several ineffectual assaults, tho enemy took the first line fortifications, the garrison being 'literally destroyed by tho bombardinont. At four in tho morning, by a brilliant counterattack, we retook tho work. ~,.■. ~ L. O 111 1 "On tho right bank tho bombardment was liveliest north ot bouvflle and Tavannes, notably at Chenois. Thore were no infantry actions." "Desperate fighting lasted the whole day in tho region- of Thiaumont. lhis morning, about ten o'clock, in the course of a brilliant attack, the Fronou captured the Thiaumont work, in spite of an ..extremely violent German curtain of fire. During the afternoon the Germans multiplied their efforts to chase us out, submitting to considerable losses. In the coutso of these attempts ono _ attack by the enemy succeeded in entering our lino towards 3 o'clock, but a vigorous counter-attack put us in possession of tho work." ~,«„«' London, July 1, 3.10 p.ra. "On both banks of the Mouse yesterday evoniug and night there were violent German attacks. „„.„„„, ~ ~,,. "Ou the left bank, to the westward and eastward of Hill 301, the fighting was lively. The Germans launched four attacks. The first of these was .accompanied by liquid fire, at Hill 804, Esnes, and the Haucourt road, and was repulsed yesterday evening, with sanguinary losses.' Tho second was with grenades, westward of the Haucourt road, and was repulsed. At night, eastward of Hill 30*, a powerful German infantry action resulted in the capture of tho fortifieaticnis which wero taken yesterday, with some trendies on the eastern slopes oFtho hill. A counter-attack immediately recovered the lost ground. "This morning we repulsed a German attack at Avocourt redoubt, with hca^y "On tho right bank the fighting at Thiaumont was continued all day yesterday After furious assaults, preceded by a bombardinont, the Germans penetrated and'completely demolished a redoubt neat which tho French wero established. "There is great artillery action, at the Fumin wood, Chcnois, and La Fee. "German attacks on the. forest of Parroy completely failed." GERMAN OFFIOIAL COMMUNIQUE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Amsterdam, June 30. A German official communique states:— "On tho left bank of the Mouse we progressed at Hill 304. On the right of the. ifeuse there have been no infantry attacks." (Rec. July 2, 0.5 p.m.) London, July 1. A German official coamuniquo by wireless states: "The French attacks at Thiaumont failed, with severe losses to tho enemy." THIAUMONT REDOUBT A COMPLETE WRECK (Hoc. July 2, 11.30 p.m.) Paris, July 2. A French official communique states: "Tho Thiaumont redoubt, which the Germane rcpeuetrated, is a complete wrook. We are established in its immediate approaches."

RUSSIANS CAPTURE KOLOMEA ANOTHER HAUL OF PRISONERS GERMAN ATTACK ON NORTHERN FLANK (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright). London, Juno 30. The Kussiaais have occupied Koloniea (an important railway town fifty miles west Of Czernowitz), and taken 6000 more prisoners. RUSSIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES (Rec. July 1, (j.50 p.m.) ■ , Petrograd, July 1. A hussiaoi official communique states: "We are pursuing the enemy. South of the tho Austrians fled, panic-stricken, abandoning thoir wagons. "Prisoners continue to arrive. "Fighting continues north-west of Kuty. "We surprised Kovbane, at the confluence of the Lipa and tho Styr, and bayoneted tho garrison. Tho enemy near by fled, and we captured some prisoners. "The Germans have attempted to advance at several places." (Bee. July 3, 5.5 p.m.) Petroorad, July 1. A. communique states: "Tho Eussian left wing on Friday raptured Kolomea, the most important converging point of the railways in Bukowina. Tho enemy continues, tb fall back westward to previously prepared positions. "The enemy north-west of Kimpolung is trying to resume the offensive with larger forces. General Letchitsky's troops ore carrying out their offensive' under extremely difficult conditions. Torrential rains have wrought havoc to tho roads. "Tho enomy north-west of tho confluence of the lipa and tho Styr took the offensive. Our troops, with imperturbable sang froid, let the enemy approach our barbed wire, and then shot them at point-blank range.', ' "Our prisoners now aimount to 212,000."- > (Eee. July S, 0.30 a.m.) Petrograd, July 2.' A communique states: "Further progress has been raado southward of Kolomea, and north-westward of Kimpolung. "Newly-arrived German forces made desperate attacks in the regiflu of t!je Lipa River, .but were repulsed with heavy losses. "Our total prisoners to date number 217,000." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. July 1, 5.5 pjn.) ~,,.„., . , Amsterdam, July 1. An Austrian oificial communique states: "Fierce fighting has occurred northwest of Kuty. We have withdrawn from the sector south-west of Kolomea,'owing to the pressure of superior forces of the enemy." - GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Reo. July 2, 5.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 1. A German official communique states': "The fighting west and south-west of Lusk continues in our favour. The Russian positions have been -captured near Wiczyhy, west of Kolki, and south-west of Sokul." ■ • VON HINDENBURG'S DIVERSION IN THE NORTH VIOLENT ATTACKS ON THE JACOBSTADT-DVINSK FRONT. •' Paris, Juno 30. Sudden violent attacks, on the entiro right of the Jacobstadt-Dviusk front are interpreted that von Hindonburg has finally begun his offensive. Tho "Echo do Paris" states that von Hiiidenburg's' offensive diversion hasentirely failed.- . . ' Amsterdam, June 30. All trams in Germany have' been commandeered, and are rushing troops eastward. ' NAVAL ACTION IN THE BALTIC EUSSIAN DESTROYERS ATTACKED BY CRUISERS. (Rec. July 1, 6.50 p.m.) Copenhagen, July 1. A German cruiser squadron attacked the Eussian destroyers in the Baltic. After a heavy cannonade the Russians retreated north and east. A big German squadron is also cruising in the North Sea. ( GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. '" " : ' (Rec. July 2, 5.5 p.m.) London, July f. A German official communique states: "On-Thursday night 'German torpedo boats attacked a Russian squadron consisting of an armoured cruiser, a protected cruiser, and five destroyers, between Hclfringe and Landsort. After a abort engagement the Russians withdrew. Despite a heavy bombardment we suffered no casualties or damage." [Landsort is an islnnd off the Swedish coast, just south of the approaches to Stockholm.] VALUABLE SCOOP BY THE RUSSIANS. ("Times" and Sydney "Snn" Services.) London, July 1. Russian destroyers have captured the German vessel Hermanthis in the Baltic, Her cargo of tar is valued at .£IOO,OOO.