Great Anglo-French Offensive

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 171, 3 July 1916, Page 5

Great Anglo-French Offensive

Between Arras and Roye.

Bn a Front of 40 Miles.

Captured Trenches Consolidated.

[nns ARMMRATION —COPYRIGHT.]

London, July i. The news of the British offensive has created unprecedented excitement in London and Paris.

Yesterday’s bombardment was more violent than previously. In some parts the British poured shells at the rate of 16 per second. Houses and towns 25 miles distant trembled and the ground shook.

The spectacle at night-time was most impressive. As far as the eye could see there was nothing but a horizon of fire. The German positions were enveloped in fire and smoke, and an immense red reflection filled the heavens.

The correspondent of “ Lloyd’s Weekly ” at headquarters says that the British captured Serre and Montauban, important strategical positions between Hebuteme (south of Arras) and Bray, and hold positions in the villages of Contal Maison <4 miles north-east of Albert) and Mametz. They are attacking Beaumont Hamel, six miles north of Albert, and have captured La Boiselle, 2J miles north-east of Albert). Many prisoners were taken in the front lines. The French are fighting with great gallantry, and have covered 11 miles beyond the German front line, rapidly occupying the village of Curlu [8 miles south-east of Albert) on the Somme, and Faviere Wood. _ A SERIOUS BREACH ON THIS SECTOR IMPERILS WHOLE GERMAN POSITION IN NORTHERN FRANCE. (Received 3, 9 a.m.) London, July 2. Our line of attack starts roughly on the outskirts of Arras, while the French battle front on the right extends possibly beyond Roye over an undulating, open, wooded countryside, and only the usual roads and railways of agricultural districts. Hence the German defence is less advantageously placed than on other sectors. Military critics point out that nothing was haphazard in the choice of moment or place, nor is it a mere chance that our offensive is coincident with the Russian and Italian thrusts. The Germans have hitherto not attempted serious fighting on this sector because, unlike Ypres, which offered the Channel ports as a prize, it did not offer an objective of any value. A serious breach on the German front will imperil the whole position in Northern France. Happily the cutting-out raids have familiarised us with the intricacies of the defences. THE ENEMY PUZZLED FOR A WEEK. UNABLE TO LOCATE THE OBJECTIVE. (Received 3, 9.30 a.m.) Judging from signs latterly, the Germans were fully aware of General Joffre’s and Sir Douglas Haig’s preparations, and the desperate onslaught at Verdun was intended to disorganise the Anglo-French plan. But General Joffre was not perturbed, and declined to budge until everything was in readiness and the right moment had arrived for promising every guarantee of success. The direction from which the blow came was a complete surprise. The enemy, by expelling civilians from Lille, indicated their expectation that the chief effort would be from the British centre opposite Lens. The intense British bombardment on aninety-m'ile front for a whole week kept the enemy in such doubt regarding the objective and made it unsafe for him to modify his former dispositions, hence of 800,000 Ger .mans facing the British lines not a single regiment was with•drawn to reinforce other fronts. Those regiments which were withdrawn were largely from Champagne. The British and French are now advancing towards Bapaume, an important centre on the majn rgads radiating to Albert, Peronne, Cambrai and Arras. The weather is fine. The British are strongly pressing the enemy at Fricourt and Gommicourt. The latter is a mile northward of Hebuteme. ACTIVITY CONTINUES ON YSER FRONT. MONITORS CURTAIN THE SAND DUNES. (Received 3, 9.20 a.m.) Amsterdam, July 2. There is violent artillery action on the Yser front, including the heavy fire of warships. It is believed that British monitors are firing on the Germans across the Dunes in order to render a German infantry advance impossible. AN ANZAC RAID. (Received 3, 9.30 a.m.) London, July 2. The Anzacs in a lightning raid on Thursday night swarmed a trench within five minutes of the first concentration, killing and wounding 80 Germans. Their casualties were slight. THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE. WONDERFULLY SUCCESSFUL. Paris, July 1. A communique states:—Northward and southward of the Somme the Franco-British forces developed the offensive on a forty-kilometre front, and captured the first German position along the whole front of attack. • The French northward of the Somme established themselves in the outskirts of Hardicourt (64 miles of Albert) and the fringe of the village of Curlu, where fighting continues. Southward of the Somme the villages of Dompierre, Becquincourt, Busius and Fay are in our hands. The French alone took upwards of 3500 unwounded prisoners. THE ANGLO-FRENCH PLAN. STEADY CONTINUOUS HAMMERING. UNTIL HOUR STRIKES FOR SUPREME EFFOFT. (Received 3, 10.15 a.m.) Paris, July 2. The French military authorities are fully satisfied with the first results of the new tactics. They did not expect sensational results, as the element of surprise was largely wanting. The last half-hour’s artillery preparation was of unsurpassed intensity. The French and British infantry attacks were then launched with the greatest gallantry. We captured advanced defences in an hour and a-half, and the entire Allied front had advanced two kilometres on a front of 40 kilometres before evening. The British and French losses are small compared with the German, owing to careful preparation. The British took no chances. Where the raiders reported that the wire had not been cut and the trenches were undamaged, the sector was subjected to further bombardment. The new tactics aim at a steady, continuous hammering on the line without unnecessary loss of the Allied lives until it is possible to launch a general attack. GERMAN COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. WITH VERY HEAVY LOSSES. (Received 3, 10.15 a.m.) London, July 2. The chief German attack on the British front at night in the region of Montauban was repulsed with serious German losses. The British are consolidating all gains.

GENERAL HAIG’S REPORT.

DETAILS OF THE GREAT MOVEMENT.

London, July I. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Patrols, reconnoitring and raiding parties, continue active all along the front. They entered the German trenches at many points. A strong raiding party south of Neuve Chapelle penetrated to the German support line.

The weather was unfavourable for aerial work. German heavy artillery was in action all day on a front between Souchez (south-west of Lens) and Hohenzollem. An attack was launched north of the Somme at 7.30. In conjunction with the French, the British have broken the German forward defences on a sixteen-mile front.

The French attack on our immediate right is proceeding satisfactorily. There have been raiding parties on the remainder of the British front which penetrated the enemy’s defences at many points, inflicting loss and taking prisoners. Later.

Heavy fighting proceeded all day long between the Somme and Ancre and northward of the Ancre as far as Gommecourt inclusive. The fighting on the whole of’ this front continues with intensity. We have captured on our right a labyrinth of trenches on a seven-mile front to a depth of 1000 yards.

We have stormed snd occupied the strongly fortified villages of Montaubau (six miles east of Albert) and Mametz (four miles east of Albert).

We have gained in the centre attack on a four-mile front many strong points. The enemy at others is still resisting. The struggle here is severe. The battle northward of the Ancre Valley to Gommecourt is equally violent. Here we were unable to retain portions of the ground gained in our first attacks, but retain others. Upwards of 2000 Germans have been taken prisoner, including two regimental commanders and the whole of one regimental staff. The large number of enemy dead indicates that their casualties were very severe. Parties penetrated the German trenches at various points between Souchez and Ypres on Friday night, inflicting casualties. Much successful air work was accomplished against railway depots and junctions, trains, batteries and trenches. FRENCH PROGRESS ON RIGHT OF SOMME. FIVE THOUSAND PRISONERS TAKEN\ (Received 3, x 0.35 a.m.) Paris, July 2. Following up our advantage on the right bank of the Somme, we occupied the village of Curlu after a lively combat. We conserved positions south of the Somme and progressed at night between Herbecourt and Asservillers. Latest figures of German unwounded prisoners taken by the French exceed 5000. [HIGH COMMISSIONER’S MESSAGE.] (Received 3, 11.15 a.m.) London, July 2, 3.45 p.m. North of the Somme there was a desperate combat during the night, the Germans launching violent counter-attacks against our new positions on the outskirts of Hardecourt. Our curtain and infantry fire inflicted important losses on the enemy, who was compelled to fly back in disorder, leaving 200 prisoners. Pursuing our advantages on the right bank, we captured, after lively fighting, Curlu village. We are now occupying it entirely. BRITISH CAPTURE FRICOURT WITH 3,500 PRISONERS. [‘xovseax B.aaNoissiKwoo hoih] London, July 1. The British are holding ground northwards of Fricourt, but the village is still in German hands. The British, fighting gallantly, took many prisoners in the enemy’s lines. (Received 3, 11.25 a.m.) London, July 2. OFFICIAL.—The British have captured Fricourt and taken 3,500 prisoners. BELGIANS DOING THEIR BIT. ARTILLERY BOMBARDS DIXMUDE. (Received 3, 9 a.m.) London, July 2. A Belgian communique says:—Our artillery carried out destructive fire on the German works and batteries in the Dixmude region. FRENCH ACTIVE IN CHAMPAGNE REGION. [high commissioner’s messagk.] (Received 3, 11.30 a.m.) London, July 2. In the Champagne, numerous reconnaissances were carried out on the enemy front, several penetrating trenches, which were cleaned up by grenades. GERMAN PEOPLE KEPT IN IGNORANCE. MENDACIOUS REPORT BY WIRELESS. London, July 1. A German wireless message states: —Repeated English and French reconnoitring attacks at many points were everywhere repulsed. The attacks were preceded by intense fire and gas attacks and mine explosions. The fighting has appreciably increased on both sides of the Somme. The French attacks on Thiaumont failed, with severe losses to the enemy. The aerial attacks on Lille did no military damage, but many civilians were killed, especially in the Church of St. Sauveur, where the killed and wounded exceeded fifty. Numerous French inhabitants were killed and wounded at Douai, Bapaume, Gerorine and Nesle by French and English gunfire and aircraft bombs. . MORAHT REVIEWS THE SITUATION. DREAM OF VICTORY DISAPPEARING. / (Received 8, 9.50 a.m.) London, July 2. Colonel Moraht (the German military expert), writing in the “ Berliner Tageblatt ” on the general situation, says:—All the belligerents are in a critical situation. Our antagonists, like the Germans, have reached the culminating point of their exertions. It must be admitted their warfare is being energetically organised. The Allies have learnt a lesson from us. Their large numbers, and possession of the sea, together with their great strength, will enable them to render our ultimate victory difficult. The British are going forward systematically and cautiously. It may be supposed they have colossal quantities of ammunition, because for months past they have been able to transport it across the Channel. We cannot get a step nearer peace without a settlement of accounts with the British. HAIG’S AFTERNOON BULLETIN SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS. (Received 3, 11.35 a.m.) London, July 2. Sk Douglas Haig’s afternoon bulletin says:—Substantial progress has been made in the vicinity of Fricourt, which our troops captured by two o’clock in the afternoon. We took 800 prisoners. Up till middby, during the operations between Ancre and the Somme, the total number of prisoners was 3500, including, prisoners from other parts of the front last night. THE ATTACK LAUNCHED BRILLIANTLY, (Received 3, 9.20 ajn.) Paris, July 2. “ Le Petit Parisien ” says the Franco-British offensive was launched, in a brilliant fashion. The British seized the enemy’s first defences. The French west of Peronne liberated four villages. The principal battle is developing on a sector of 40 kilometres. Numerous reconnaissances are being made elsewhere, especially on the Loos sector.

LATEST GERMAN REPORT. “ NO ADVANTAGES WORTH MENTIONING.” (Received 3, 11.35 a.m.) London, July 2. A German communique reports a great Anglo-French offensive on a 25 miles front, with strong artillery and gas preparation, but with no advantages worth mentioning, from Gommecourt to La Boiselle. “ They penetrated our first line in the region abutting on the Somme, compelling the withdrawal of our division into pre-arranged positions. We lost front line material which w'as Immovable. Other attacks have been unsuccessful.” WAR CORRESPONDENTS’ REPORTS OF THE LATEST GREAT DEVELOPMENT.

ENEMY HAS A BAD TIME. BRITISH SUPREMACY IN ARTILLERY. [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] London, July 1. The “Morning Post’s” correspondent at headquarters says that the British artillery on the entire eight-mile front reached a vigour hitherto unapproached. Undoubtedly we have begun to get the guns and ammunition for which we have been waiting, and are using them to the fullest extent. Expert artillerists believe that we are not only equal, but have the pull over the Germans in the matter of artillery. The correspondent visited a section whote the enemy had had tfae worst time he had ever experienced since the British shells burst overhead. The German reply was singularly feeble, and gave the impression of a sullen mood, not liking our new guns and shells. The Germans hauled down most of their kite balloons. We counted fourteen British balloons on a short front and not a single German. The recent .rains served the most useful purpose in disclosing the identity of every German battalion from the sea to the Somme. Some prisoners had not tasted food for three days. They were weary and famished zpid gladly deserted. From them we learned of the withdraawal of eight German divisions on the west front which had been transferred to the east front in the hope of stemming the Russian advance. BAVARIANS GETTING TIRED. The story is current that one of these divisions, the 11th Bavarian, disobeyed the order to re-attack at Verdun, and every tenth man was ordered to be shot. The order was countermanded after the King of Bavaria’s personal appeal to tiae Kaiser. The bombardment continues with the utmost severity. Patrols report that many trenches are deserted, and their defences and wires damaged. THE VALUE OF RAIDS. Reuter’s correspondent at headquarters states that he traversed nearly ninely miles of British front and was impressed by the superiority of the British artillery. Deserters state that in consequence of the violence of the British gunnery they were foodless for three days. The wholesale daring infantry raids terrified the enemy. The raids have enabled us definitely to identify the position and character of every German battalion between the Yser and the Somme, and have shown that the enemy has not withdrawn any formations from the British front. It is known, however, that the 11th Bavarian Division at Verdun and 22nd Reserve Corps and 10th Army Corps on the Champagne have been sent to the Eastern front, and probably also three other divisions. OUR CASUALTIES LIGHT. The “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent at headquarters says that the British launched a vigorous attack after a terrific bombardment lasting ninety minutes. Our casualties were not heavy. BATTLE GROWS IN INTENSITY .The “Morning Post’s” correspondent wires from the British right: The battle is steadily increasing in intensity, and is particularly severe north of the river Ancre. The enemy is making strenuous resistance in severel villages, but the British gallantry resulted in a gradual working round at various strong points. Fricourt is almost surrounded. A counter attack on Montauban was repulsed. They have taken 1500 prisoners to date and others are coming in. Our aviators bombed Lille station. In returning they were attacked by twenty Fokkers, two being brought down. The British are making many raids on the northern part of the line. s ENEMY LOSING MEN, GUNS AND HEART. The “Daily Chronicle’s” Paris correspondent says t»ae French are following the British tactics and making worrying assaults from Reims to Soissons. The enemy is losing men, guns and heart. Although there is terrible proof that we now possess equal artillery, it would be unwise to entertain unduly high hopes. There must be bloody fighting before the end.

NEWS SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE. (Received 3, 9.30 a.m.) London, July 2. News of the Anglo-French offensive spread with astonishing ranidity, and people repeated the magical word to each other, knowing that the hopes of many months were nearing fulfilment. Such mighty forces have been accumulated that the enemy is put on the defensive. A passerby told the good news to convalescent woundeds on the balconies of the hospitals and the soldiers and sailors cheered. The news was also promptly screened at the theatres and picture shqws, and there is the utmost enthusiasm everywhere.