THE BRITISH BOMBARDMENT.

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

THE BRITISH BOMBARDMENT.

SUPERIORITY IN GUN-POWER.

UNPRECEDENTED VIGOUR ON THE ENTIRE FRONT.

London, July 1, The "Morning Post's" correspondent at headquarters states that the British artillery on the entire 80-mile front has reached a vigour not hitherto approached. Undoubtedly Aye 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 oniy equal to but have the pull over the Germans in the matter of artillery.

The correspondent visited a sector where the enemy have had the worst time they have ever experienced since British shells burst over their heads. The German reply was singularly feeble and gave the impression that the enemy were in a sullen mood, not liking our new guns and shells.

The Germans have mostly hauled down their kite balloons. The correspondent counted fourteen British' balloons on a short'front, but not a single Gerir.au one. The "Daily Chronicle's" Paris correspondent says the French, following the British tactics, are harrying the enemy by as.aults from Rheims to S'oissons. The enemy are losing men and guns, ■ and heart.

Although there is terrible proof that we now possess equal artillery, it would be unwise to indulge in unduly high hopes. There must be bloody fighting before the end is reached.

The recent rains served a most useful purpose, by disclosing the identity of every German battalion from the sea to the Somme. Some of the prisoners had not tasted food for three days. They were weary and famished, and gladly deserted. /

We learned of the withdrawal of eight-German divisions from the West front, who were transferred to the East front in the hope of stemming the Russian advance.

A story is told that one of these divisions, the Eleventh Bavarian Division, disobeyed an order to re-attack at Verdun. Every tenth man was ordered to be shot, but the order was countermanded after the King of Bavaria had made a personal appeal to the Kaiser.

The bombardment continues with the utmost severity. Our patrols report that many trenches are deserted, and bhe defensive wires damaged.