GREAT OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14128, 3 July 1916, Page 5

GREAT OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST.

JOINT ANGLO-FRENCH THRUST.

SUBSTANTIAL BRITISH PROGRESS

[Press Association —Copyright.]

ENEMY'S WORKS BROKEN ON

16 MILE FRONT

RAIDING PARTIES ACTIVE.

(United Service.)

(Received July 2, 5.5 p.m.)

London, July 1,

. General Sir Douglas Haig reports that an attack was launched north of the Somme at 7.30 a.m. 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.

Raiding parties on the remainder of the British front penetrated the enemy's defences at a any points, inflicting loss and taking prisoners.

Our patrols and reconnoitring and raiding parties continue active all along the front.

We have entered the German trenches at many points.

A strong raiding party south of Neuve Chapelle penetrated to the German support line.

The weather is unfavourable for aerial work.

The' German heavy artillery was in action all day on the front between Souchez and Hohernzollern Redoubt, and in the Outznoe region.