In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 3 August 1916, Page 5

In the West

THE BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Paris, August 2.

The Bulletin ties Armies states that as a result of the British offensive during the first fifteen days in July 12,000 Germans were taken prisoner; 35 field guns, a I naval gun, several large howitzers, an enormous quantity, of trench guns and trench cannon, toother with munitions, were captured. At least twenty-one aeroplanes were brought down. Prisoners state that the German losses were so serious that they had to call up twelve divisions which were resting in other sections. A communique states: We captured trenches between Estrees and Belloy-in-Santerre. German attacks west and south of Thiaumont broke down. Our grenade attack progressed south of Thiaumont.. Other German attacks were repulsed with great losses.

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE

WAR. Paris, August 2. In connection with the second anniversary of the war, President Poincare -'and Generals Joffre and Sir Douglas Haig addressed the French army. General Joffre said the moment approaches when, under the common impetus, the German military power would completely give wav. President Poincare said that mftch remained to he done, but the scales of destiny would definitely favor the Allies. Sir Douglas Haig expressed his confidence in a final victory. The July successes were only the commencement of a new era which would assure the triumph of the Allies. The task may yet be long and hard, but the result was undoubtable. This, the third year, will bring deserved chastisement to Germany.

EFFECTS OF LIQUID FIRE.

New York, August 2

An awful picture of the effects of liquid fire is given by the New York Times' correspondent in Paris, who interviewed a French officer on the Somme, who was directing artillery fire* from a tree top. He saw a detachment of German Flamenwerfer, carrying their devilish apparatus and advancing. "When they were in a hollow," he says, "I telephoned clirections. Shells fell among them and smashed the apparatus and released the liquid fire. Then I had n glimpse of what hell must he like. As the torrent of shells fell great sheets of flame rose up, and the ground became a swirling sea of fire. In the midst of it the Germans were like living torches, dying horrihly. One spun like a top and struggled superhumanly, but he finally fell into a pool ot fire. Others rolled on the ground; but the flaming liquid enveloped them. Then came a dreadful stench of burning flesh, which is indescribable. As I Bffljjayjs'd hack to the line, the awful an?Tunforgettal>le screams of the dying rose above the din of hattle.'

FRENCH PROGRESS REPORT.

OCCUPATION OF ENEMY

POSITIONS.

Tlie High Commissioner reports:— London, August 2 (2.50 p.m.)

The French official report states: North of the Somme, our troops took a strongly fortified work occupied by the enemy between Hem Wood and Monacu Farm. South ,of the Somme river, an' attack in the region of Esti'ee's enabled'us >to ..occupy . the German trench north-west of Dempourfc, where we took some prisoners. In the Champagne sector, west of Auberive, a Russian reconnaissance with a bayonet charge against an enemy detachment dispersed \t, leaving dead on the ground. On the right of the Meuso, the fighting was continued with violence during the night on,the front of Yaux-Chapitre-Chenois and south-east of Te'rs region, south of Damloup. The enemy, after a 'series of ineffectual attacks, in which they used suffocating gas, gained little ground in Vaux, Chapitre Wood, and Chenois. Otherwise, all the attacks were arrested by our fire. In course of these actions, the enemy suffered important losses, and we took one hundred prisoners. I EAST OF POZIERES. FURTHER BRITISH PROGRESS. Press Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, August 3. General Haig reports: We further progressed eastward of Poziores.

SLIGHT CERMAN CAIN AT VAUX (Received 11.10 a.m.) Paris, August 2. A communique states: We captured ! a fortified' position between Hem Wood and Monaeu l<\'irni. After a ! series of unsuccessful gas attacks the Germans gained slightly at Yaux, Chapitre, and Chenois. THE GERMAN REPORT. (Received 11.10 a.m.) London, August 2. A Berlin communique states: Strong enemy forces vainly attacked from '.Maurepas, on the Somme, and our counter-attack caused sanguinary losses. The enemy penetrated to the Mar icon rt-Clery road. Wo progressed north-west and west oi Tlnaumont. / „______ .