THE FRENCH ATTACKS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14129, 4 July 1916, Page 5

THE FRENCH ATTACKS.

FIERCE STRUGGLE NORTH OF THE SOMME.

OCCUPATION OF CURLU

RECONNAISSANCES IN CHAM-

PAGNE

FRENCH MILITARY AUTHORITIES

SATISFIED

ALLIED LOSSES COMPARATIVELY

SMALL.

OFFENSIVE BRILLIANTLY

LAUNCHED

(United Service.)

Paris, July 2. A communique says the struggle north of Somme was fierce at night.

The Germans violently attacked the new positions in the neighbourhood of Hardecourt. Our curtain and infantry fire inflicted important losses, and the enemy fell back in disorder.

Following up the advantage on the right bank of the Somme, we occupied the village of Curlu. After a lively combat we conserved the positions south of the Somme, and progressed at night between Herbecourt and Asse-

viilers

We effected numerous reconnaissances in, Champagne, clearing out the enemy trenches with grenades.

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 -(fas of unsurpassed intensity. The French and British infantry attacks were then launched with the greatest gallantry and captured the advanced defences in an hour and a half. The entire Allied front had advanced two kilometres on a front of forty kilometres before evening.

The Britsh and French losses were small compared to the German, owing to the careful preparation.

The British took no chances. "Where raiders reported that the wire was not cut and the trenches undamaged the sector was subjected to further bombardment.

The new tactics aim at a steady, continuous hammering of the line without unnecessary loss of Allied troops until ifc is possible to launch a general attack.

The "Petit Parisien" says that the Franco-British offensive was launched in a brilliant fashion.

The British seized the enemy's first defences, and the French west of Perroime liberated four villages.

The principal battle is developing on a sector of forty kilometres, the British attacking on a front of twenty-five kilometres.

There were numerous reconnaissances elsewhere 3 especially in the Loos sector.