Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-05
GERMANS BEGIN VIOLENT
OFFENSIVE IN THE WEST
In Air and on Land Teutons Resume
Violent Attacks Against
Allies.
BOMBS RAINED ON HARwICH
Official Statement Makes No Report
OF Damage, and Officials Decline
to Divulge Details-Aviators in
Exciting Air Duels.

Especial Cable to The Times. Dispatc h
LONDON. July 4.--ln the air and on
land the Germans have begun violent
offensive in the west, partly In those
very regions where the French were
expected to launch thoIr great drive.
While squadron of German aero
planes rained bombs on Harwich, on
the Essex coast of England, and upon
tlotilla Of British torpedo boats al
sea, the reinforced armies OF Crown
Prince Frederick William have resumed
their battcringram tactics against the
French lines defending Verdun along
the Binarville Road. Not here alone
but also north OF Arras. where leas tina n
two weeks ago the French demonstra-
tons gave promise OF a drive on Lens
the Germans have opened intense at
tucks, which have brought them up to
French defenses.
The first hint received In London OF
the air raid on Harwich came by wire
less from Berlin. The official state
ment issued there makes no report OF
the damage. and no details can be OBJ
tanned from the military officials here
The lid has been clamped down tight
on all news Of air attacks The ad-
miralty is silent on the reported air
ATTACK upon 4 hotilln of British tor
pcdo- boats.
According to the Berlin report, Ger
man aviators also showered bombs on
the French town OF Nancy, and de-
stroyed the railway station at Dom
basic, seVering communication by rail
with tho fort at Remieremont
In retaliation, allied ariators drop-
ped bombs on Bruges, the captured cap
ital of the Belgian province OF West
Flanders.
Two allied aviators got the worst OF
II in duels with German flyers. the re-
port gees on. One. Brlton. was
brought down with his machine In
flames. while another. a F'renchman
was forced to descend by German
fighting aeroplane.
The German activities on land lead
to tho belief hero that the Teutonf
have adopted vigorous offensive as
the best kind of defensive. Military
critics do not believe that the Teuton
activities forecast a new drive either
in Flanders or against Verdun. Tha,
these VIII come eventually there is lit
tie doubt, but no serious operations are
expected for several weeks yet.
The Germans, however, are cxpend
ton. battering the allied lines both
day and night with practically in
cessant rain of high explosive shells
Violent infantry attacks, hut with
comparatively small forces, also are
heing launched.
Road. TN the Argonne. the crown
prince is delivering violent attacks
against the French defenses. Consoli-
dating his recent gains. he has brough,
up henvy artillery and is hattering in
phalanx formation ut the French sec.
ond line. The number of prisoners
taken by this army has increased ia
2.556. according to the Berlin official
statement, and large quantity OF
booty in the way of machine guns and
mine throwers has been captured.
Northwest of Regnieville the Ger
mans have stormed the French posi-.
tons on front OF 500 yards. gain.
ing considerable ground, according &c
the Berlin report, and also have can.
tured part of the forest To the north
of Fey-an -Haye. This forest had heer
strongly held by the French.
North of Arras, German attacks
along the hollow road from Angres &c
Ablain brought them up to the French
barricades. but 30 far, according "a
official dispatches, they have been able
TO advance no further.