AFTER TEN DAYS OF VALIANT EFFORT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2822, 13 July 1916, Page 5

AFTER TEN DAYS OF VALIANT EFFORT

STRIKING ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE BRITISH CHEEftING REVIEW OF THE SITUATION i The High Commissioner reports: , ' i - London, July 11, 2.30 p.m. '' General Hatig reports: "Last night, after a brisk bombardment, Contalmaison i was taken by assault. Wo'found 189 prisoners, including a battalion commander and four oihccrs. A strong counter-attack at 8 o'clock was beaten off with heavy i loss 'to the onemy. The whole village is now in our hands. v i "Further to the eastward we stormed several linos of trenohes at Bois do Slanietz. The greater'part of this large wood-is now in our possession. We captured heavy howitzers, three field guns, and 29G prisoners, j "Heavy fighting continues in 'l'rones Wood. "On .Sunday, one of our aeroplanes was shot down Ly an anti-aircraft gun; and three other machines have not returned." FIRST BRITISH TASK VICTORIOUSLY COMPLETED . WHOLE OF THE GERMAN -FIRST DEFENCE LINES GONE. j v . , (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright). Australian-New Zealand Cable As6o6iation. | (Eec. July 12, 5.25 p.m.) \ , . London, July 11. , Sir Douglas Haig reports: "After ten days and nights of continuous fighting our troops have completed' the methodical oapture of the whole of 'the Germans' \ first syßtem of defence on a front of fourteen thousand yards (about 8 miles), consisting of numerous continuous lines of fire trenches, and support and reserve trenches, extending from two thousand to four thousand yards in depth, and including five strongly fortified villages, numerous heavily-wired entrenched woods and a largo number of immensely strong redoubts. The capture of eacli trench represented operations of some importance.: , . "The-Germans' sucoess at Trones Wood, after six costly attacks, was of short duration. We have recaptured the whole of the wood except the northernmost end." ' I The High Commissioner's report covering the above message adds: "Apart , from a number o! guns which arc hidden in houses and buried in debris, we have, during the course of our operations, brought in 26 field guns, one naval gun, one anti-aircraft puu, and ono heavy howitzer, while the total number of prisoners now exceeds 7500." WITH THE FRENCH SOUTH OF; THE SOMME '1300 PRISONERS- IN TWO DAYS. h ; Paris, July 11. i A French official communique states: "The Somme front is calm. The prisoners tukeujn t|ie last 'two days exceed 1300." Tho High Commissioner reports:— London, July 11, 10.40 p.m. A French official report states: "On both sides of tho Somme the day has been relatively calm. Small operations liavo enabled us to completely clear the wood north of La Maisonette, and occupy coin munication trenches between Dstrees and Bellov-en-Santerro. "'Phere were fourteen air combats, four enemy machines being driven down rapidly. Oho ot our pilots returned safely, with his machine on lire. Our bombarding squadrons were active on the night of July 10, when 200 shells were dropped on -various stations." ENEMY AT A DISADVANTAGE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Paris, July 11. The Germans are fighting at a disadvantage, with their backs to the river. The majority of tho bridges have been destroyed since tho beginning of 'the oifen SU °After capturing Hill 97, the French commenced a further attack, linking up the hill with La Maisonetto' arid Biaolies. The enemy continued up to a lato hour on Monday to lesist at, some points. Tim French, however, are in possession of two lines of hill dominating 'those on tho right bank. _ _ Meanwhile the Germans are opposing tho British advance inch by inch. Their losses in the Trones Wootl, district wore enormous. 'Hie British , have pro'grassed on both sides at Contalmaison, tho Germans still clinging to one of the outskirts. A REVIEW OF THE FRENCH SITUATION (lice. July 12, 5.20 p.m.) London, July 12. The "Daily Telegraph'.-?" Paris correspondent writes: "Biachos lies at the foot of . a declivity on the edge of the Somme Canal, opposite Peronne, from which it is separated by tho canal and the river marshes. Hill 97 is a milo south of Biaches, with l.a Maisonette i'«rm on the summit. A small wood, halfway up the hill, lies bctweon Biaches -iud J,n Maisonette. The enemy had strongly fortified Biachen, tho wood, and the hill. "he French south of tho Somme hold two lmos ot hills, from Belloy-on-Santerrc to Fcuilliores on the westward, and from Barleux to Biaches on tho eastward. Tho only German position of importance Is Villers. Tho capture of Hill. 97 has given the Frcncli complete command of the railway from Chaulnes '° "Tho'most remarkable featuro of tlio Anglo-French offensive is tho perfect co-ordination of tho operations. The advanced line from the Ancre River to Peronno forms a scries of steps, and the enemy at each angle is exposed to ;i cross-tiro from two sides." WHAT WE HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING ABOUT THE GERMAN VILLAGE FORTRESS. (I'ec. Julv 12, 6.50 p.m.) London, July 11. Mr. Philip Gibbs, writing from France, says: "Wo are slowly but steadily drawing our lines closer about the Germans' strong places along the whole of our attacking J'coat. It is true that tho German line,from the sea to the \os?£e.s is ono' great fortress, but it is moro essentially and technically true regarding a portion of tho lino that wo havo pojiotraleriit. The great Gcrniau salient fvom (Jomniecourt to I'Yicourt resembles a chain of medieval fortresses, connected by tunnels and earthworks. Tho mined villages of Gommeeourt, Beaumom-Ilamel, Thiepval, Ovillers, La Boisello, and iVicourt aro strong places, stronger for tho purposes of defienco than any old tower, because they are filled with machmeguue, 'trench mortars, and othor deadly engines. 1

"Wo liavo luado breaches, which aro now deepening nnd widening. The attack oil tlio south side succeeded, resulting in tho capture of La Boiscllo and Fricourf, and, further to tho eastward, Mnmetis anil Montauban. We arc now pushing the attack with a view o? turning tho strtng places upon tho left, while assaults from without aro weakening their resistance and gradually putting a stranglehold upon them. If we keep striking deeper into tho salient, as has been done at Ovillers and Contalmaison, tho Germans must evacuate the strong places upon tho left, otherwise we will surround and capture tho imprisoned troops." 1 OPERATIONS FROM THE GERMAN SIDE ATTACKS CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN REPULSED. Berlin, July 11. . A German communiquo states: "Between tho Ancre and the Sommc, tho English launched strong attacks, Lut were shot down on a wide front on tho BapaumeAlbort Road. » , "Repeated enemy attempts to recapture the Trones Wood'failed, with heavy losses. " "Black French troops attacked I,a Maisonette, but were repulsed by overpowering tire." "GERMANS STRENGTHENING THE RHINE. ( Amsterdam, July 11. Big German guns are heavily bombarding the front from Huluch to La Bassoo. Tlio Germans aro feverishly strengthening tho defences of-'the Rhine, and are employing 200,00 ft prisoners of war on the work. "MILITARY INITIATIVE HAS PASSED FROM GERMANY" STRIKING ADMISSIONS BY A GERMAN CORRESPONDENT. New York, July 11. Ilorr Karl von Weigand, the "Now l'ork World's" correspondent at Berlin, in a dispatch, says: "Germany ia in a vibe-like grip, -the pressure of which is likely to increase on all fronts. The question whether the Allies, with 070,000,000 inhabitants, can crush the 115,000,000 of the Central Empires will bo answered in the next few weeks. For the first 'timo in tho war the military initiative has passed from Germany, who is fighting on tho defensive almost everywhere. Even west of I/usk von Linsingen's counter-offensivo has slowed down. Only at- Verdun is 'the Crown Prince keeping up a slow pressure-. The Austrian* may not Le able to hold tho Russians Until the Carpathians aro reaohed.' "The thin, aenemic line of von Hindenburg, Prince Leopold, von Linsingen, and von Bothmer, is struggling against almost overwhelming odds, often four or five'to ono. Fresty Russian armies, equipped with ammunition from Japan and America, aro beating against those thin lines with the ceasclessness of tho sen, that cannot bo otherwise than discouraging to the stoutest hearts. Gorman; continues to be practically without news from her own side. In no great battle oI equal proportions during the war bavo the German military authorities given po little information. Undoubtedly there is great suspense in Germany."Ken 1 Weigand's dispatch is regarded in America as the first open indication of fear of defeat in Germany. The paragraphs praising the German troops aio interpreted as significant of an admission of disquietude, suggesting that von Weigand believes that a German collapse is possible, and wishes to say so bc--1 tween the lines and thus escape tho censor's vigilance. i " • A STRAW. THAT SHOWS THE WIND. (Kcuter's Telegram.) , " (Hoc. -Tuly 12, 10.5 p.m.) London, July 12. Tho fact that the semi-offibial journal, tho "North German Garette," is attacking German newspapers for demanding territorial acquisitions is regarded as most significant, as showing- the extent to which Germany, under the pressure of events, has moderated her ambitions. Tho "Gazette" reminds the people that Bismarck did not value peace settlements in terms of territory. VANISHING DREAMS 'OF PAN-GERMANISM. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rcc. July 13, 0.20 a.m.) London, July 12. According to an official statemont in tho "North German Gazette," Herr von -Bothmnn Hollweg will abandon the pan-German scheme for annexing Belgium a.nd Northern France. Referring to P l-ince' Bi6inarok as "our Grand Master in statesmanship," lie declares that in considering tho valuo of peace he would only consider liow he could further the unity of the empire. CAP IN HAND TO THE BULGARS TEUTONS' URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP. Rome, July 11. It is reported that'the Kaiser and Emperor Francis Joseph have made an urgent* request to .King Ferdinand to dispatch Bulgarian troops lo the Galician and Trentino fronts. An Augtro-Gorman delegation visited Sofia on Sunday, and pointed out that continued Russian and Italian success would bring Rumania into the war. King Ferdinand replied that the withdrawal of Bulgarian troops would invite an immediate attack by the Allies at Salonika, but promised, however, to consult his General Staff. VERDUN, LORRAINE, AND THE\ VOSGES - \ - SHARP FIGHTING ON THE FORTRESS FRONT. Paris, July 11. A French official communique states: "There is great artillery activity at Avoeourt and Cliattancourt. The firing was redoubled in intensity at: Floury and > east of Chenois. Tho Germans attacked over the whole front east of the Fumin Wood, and the Chenois Wood, and cn'tenxl aji advanced trench. A coun ; ter-attack drove him out. Our curtain of liro and machine-guns broke tlio attack; elsewh'ere. ! "The Germans in Lorraine attacked the salient cast of Reillon, and penetrated the first line on a front of 200 ynrd». N : j "Taking advantage of four mine explosions, the enemy attempted to ncizo trenches north-east of Velio, but our rifle fire caused him to fall back, leaving dead and wounded, and we oocupied tho craters. "In ithe Vosges we ocoupiod niid penetrated tho first line and supporting trenches north of Ftmtonclle, and cleared out tho enemy." I HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Tho Eigh Commissioner reports:— London, July 11, 10.40 p.m. "On tho right bank of the Meuso, tho Germans on Tuesday morning renewed their attacks on our front at Fleury, Bois-de-Raux, Chapitre, and Le Chenois. "After several unsuccessful attempts, with heavy losses, the enemy gained a footing on Damloup, and somo elements of our line in tho Fumin Wood. "There has been ati intense bombardment on tho whole of this region and on the left bank moderate artillery firing." GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. A German official communiquo states: "At Lointroy, in Lorraine, a mine badly damaged 'tho French positions, which the Germans penetrated." ■ \

ITALIANS INCREASING THE PRESSURE

AUSTRIANS COMPELLED.TO DRAW ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT (United Sorvices.) •' ' (Rec. .July 12, 5.25 p.m.) Rome, ,Tu].v 11. , An Italian official message statesi "Owing to cmr pressure in the Trentino and on the Isonzo, the enemy is recalling troops which had formerly been withdrawn to the Eastern front." THE OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS FRENCH COMMANDER INSPECTS THE LINES. . Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. I " Salonika, ,Tnly 11. General Sarrail was in an aeroplane for tlireo hours inspecting the enemy's front. THE CAMPAIGN'IN MESOPOTAMIA

COMPLAINTS OF INADEQUATE FOOD AND MEDICAL. EQUIPMENT. ! ("The Times.") ' (Kec. July 12, 10.5 ji.m.) London, .iuly 12. Tho '"rimes," in a leading article, say=: "Wo arc rcceiring a stream of complaints regarding the. -Mesopotamia expedition. The, food supply in bad, and frequently short; there is much sickness, ajid the medical equipment is insufficient. These troubles lire dun to Uio inadequacy of our rives transport." THE ARAB REVOLT AGAINST THE TURK AUTHORITIES AT CONSTANTINOPLE UNEASY. (Keuter's Telegram.) (Hoc. July 12, 10.5 p.m.) Cairo, July 12. Tho Journal. "Jlolrattam" reports that Sav-ed-Idris, a supporter "of tho Shercef, has caufaired the town and fort of ICunfuda. Tho authorities at Constantinople are alarmed at (lie Arab revolution, and liavo ordered tin expedition to the province of Hejas, but the destruction of the railway prevonts tho dispatch of troops. It is understood that tho Arabs from Medina to Damascus support the Hhereef.