BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11619, 10 July 1916, Page 5

BATTLE OF THE SOMME.

THE FIRST PHASE ENDED. ANOTHER GREAT PHASE PRE--1 PARING. Paris, July 7. Reuter states that the- first phase of the battle of the Somme has ended and that the second has begun in at least one sector of the British front, where according to a semi-official report a mehodical bombardment of the enemy’s lines has recommenced. This great battle may last weeks and even months if necessary. We have both the men 'and; material. Meanwhile, it is reported nthat the Germans ar* 1 withdrawing troops from Verdun. : A FRENCH REPORT. ; HILL 304 BOMBARDED. GERMAN POST CAP'TURED. . Loudon, July 9. On the Somme front bad weather interfered with operations. An effective coup do mam .yesterday afternoon in the neighbourhood of Beiloyensanterre was perfectly successful. We took prisoner 350. Eastwards of Estress we made' grenade progress in enemy communication trenches. Northwards of Lassigny an enemy detachment which attempted to take a small posUwas dispersed by a fnsilade. Northwards of Verdun there was violent artillery fire, notably in the sector of Hill 304 and in tlie region of Esnes, Souville and .Damloup battery. There war no infantry action. •In Lorraine, grenade attacks are proceeding. We, destroyed a German post at Belanges and took prisoner the occupants. „ '