In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 2, 1 August 1916, Page 5

In the West

ANGLO-FRENCH ARTILLERY.

GERMANS REPORT ALLIES REPULSED EVERYWHERE.

Press Association—Copyright, Austra-

lian.and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received 1.5 p.m.) London, July 31

A Berlin communique states: The English operations at Pozieres aiid Longueval were heralded by a great Anglo-French artillerying on the whole front from Longueval to the Somme. The enemy, employing at least six divisions in the attack on Pozieres and Longueval, were repulsed everywhere with frightful losses. The British have not gained a foot of ground. Wo made prisoners cj' twelve officers and 769 men. We continued our strong assaults.

THE OFF?O3AL REPORTS.

The High Commissioner reports London, July 31, (12.55 a.m.)

The British official report says: On Sunday morning, in co-operation with the French on our right flank, an advance was made over a fropt extending from oast of Delville Wood to the Somme. As the result of heavy fighting, wo progressed east of Waterlot Farm, Trones Wood, and Malyorn Farm. The enemy encountered ns m considerable strength and must have suffered heavily. Two hundred and fifty prisoners were taken on our flank. The French also advanced their lino in the neighborhood of Pozieres. The day was spent in strengthening the ground gained last week. There was no infantry fighting in that area on Sunday. Three hostile areoplanes were .destroyed yesterday and several others were forced to land in a damaged condition. Between the Ancre and the Sea, events are unimportant. The French official report says: North of the Somme the day has been marked by a series of bitter combats. On the front between Hill 139 and the river our troops this morning carried the whole system of enemy trendies to a depth of 300 to 800 metres. We reached the borders of the village of Maurepas, and are holding the wood north of the station at Hem and the quarry north of the I wood at the farm at Monaco. In the afternoon the Germans launched powerful counter-attacks, notably in the region of Monaco Farm, where the struggle assumed a particulaiiy violent character. Everywhere, our fire broke the enemy’s efforts, inflicting heavy losses. We entirely hold the 'conquered territory, and have taken 'more than 200 prisoners.

1 On the right of the -Mouse, we repulsed an attack directed on positions I west of the work at 1 hiauinont. Intense bombardment on the sectors ol Floury, Vans, and Chapitre is going on. The usual cannonade is in evidence on the the rest of the front. ■ London, July HI (8.0 p.m.) I The French official report states: Northwards of the Somme last evening and during the night, the Ger-

mans multiplied their counter-attacks on our positions fit Hem Wood and Monaco Farm. The fighting was particularly violent towards Monaco Farm, where the enemy for an instant got a footing. A brilliant return of the offensive immediately enabled us to resume possession. At Hem Wood, all adversary attacks were repulsed by our fire. In course of these attacks, our batteries’ fire to the left of the river enfiladed the Germans, inflicting heavy losses. On the left of the Meuse, the German attack on the northern slopes of Hill 304 failed !under our fire. On the right bank, small detail operations enabled us to progress in the region south-west of Floury, taking thirty prisoners. An enemy grenade attempt west of Vaux and Chapitre Wood was unsuccessful. London, July" 31 (2.50 p.m.)

General Haig reports: During the aiight we improved the positions gain;ed yesterday. As ’ result of local encounters, we advanced at some points on the plateau notthw.ards of Bazentin lo Petit.