New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-01
German Attacks Fail
TO Regain SOmme Line

are resting along the Somme front TO-
day after the repulse Of the terrific
/ German counter attacks last night
/ London is happy and content-and ex-
lcctant.
While the Russians advance on Lem
berg is measured in miles. and that u
the British on Bapaunle only in yards
the experts here believe that there will
soon be big developments Just as the
lumberman's blows increase steadily II
power as the wedge eats more and
more slowly into the log. so must the
AnClo-French attack increase in vio-
lence as il drives into the heart of tho
enemy's defence. And just as the lum-
berman's last efforts seem almost
fruitless until finally a herculean blow
rends the log. so the critics here be-
lieve the Allies are approaching the
moment when the German front must
give way.
Germans Losses Heavy.
At the expense of other sections the
Germans have concentrated large forces
along the Somme front, launching at
tack after attack in the sector north
Of the Somme held by the French. The
British are busy improving the posi-
tons gained yesterday, preparatory to
fresh efforts. Both British and French
have more than held their own to-day,
oxacting a heavy toll OF lives. Inc
British have even gained little
ground near Bazentin-le-Petit.
The German official statement to-day,
which denies that the British or
French have gained a foot of ground"
in the big assault Of Sunday, which 1t
describes. is taken as merely one more
proof Of the high value which the Cen
eral staff sets on the positions and its
feeling that the German people must
not know that the line is cracking.
While the infantry has been quiet,
the aerial war has gone on with un-
diminished vigor British and French
souadrons raided German depots, rail-
way stations and factories, while the
German flyers were busy on the de-
fensive. The British dropped seven
tons Of bombs, blew up one train and
one ammunition depot, destroying sew
eral enemy aeros. Three Of their own
are missing. The French report a
successful raid near Thionville and the
destruction Of railway stations. The
Germans report having driven back q
French raid headed for Mulheim and
Baden and the destruction Of three
French planes.
Fight in Terrific Heat.
The terrific heat and the dust into
which the mud Of the last two weeks
has been transformed almost over
night have AIDED to the torments Of
the men in the Somme battle.
The first real hot wave Of the season
struck Northern France Saturday night.
PRESENTATION made white water courses
in the dust of the mems faces as they
fought, and their eyes looked out
through masks so thick that their faces
seemed TO be covered with some kind
Of arror. Motor trucks passed like
phautoms IN tnick clouds on the road
Gunners. stripped TO their skin, kept
on serving their guns at top speed
Breathing came hard in the mixture OF
dust and shell smoke.
Soldiers who reached Guillemont
speak Of the fearful carnage among
the Germans from the British gunhrei
owing TO the masses Of Germans con-
centrated under the British lombard
ment before the infantry attacks
They said they could hear the means
Of he German wounded for water
above the bombing and rife and ma
chine gun fire. With the news OF the
shooting of Captain Fryatt fresh II
their minds the British went into the
charge in @ fury, swearing they would
avenge his death.
Drop Seven Tons of Bombs.
The official statement from British
headquarters in France, issued tonight
reads:
There was no infantry fighting or
the British front to-day and no incl
dent of Importance occurred.
/ The Royal Flying Corps carried out
several bombing raids and dropped sever
tons Of bombs on the enemy communi'
cations and billets. A train was blown
I'd. an ammunition depot was set or
fire and a hostile aeroplane on The
ground was destroyed. There were
many aerial combats, and severa
enemy machines were driven 70 th'
ground in damaged condition. Three
OF our machines are missing"
An earlier statement said:
Last night was spent in improving
The positions gained yesterday. Tier
were no further developments IN th'
/ situation.
"As the result Of local encounter
we advanced our posts at some point:
on the plateau north Of Bazentln-le
Petit"
German Attacks Fail.
The French communication to-nigh
says:
North of the Somme the Germans
I to-day continued their counter attack
in the Hem wood and on the Monaco
farm. All their attacks failed Will
serious enemy losses, and We main
tanned the captured positions.
ION the right bank Of the Meus'
(Verdun sector the artillery duels con
tinue violent in the sectors Of thu
Thaumont Wood and Fleury.
There is nothing important TO re
port from the rest of the front.
During Sunday night one Of our al
squadrons bombarded military factories
at Thionvlle and the stations Of Con
fans and Audun-le-Bo man, as WI a:
bivouscs in the region of Stains
French Regain Trench
The afternoon communique said:
ITO the north of the Somme TOWARD
the close of yesterday evening and II
the course of the night the Germans
multiplied their counteT-attacks agalns
cur positions in Hem Wood and OF
I Monacu Farm. The fighting was par
ticularly violent around Monacu F m
where the enemy succeeded for q mo
ment in gaining a foothold but brill
liant offensive return of our troops
regained position of the place.
AT Hem Wood all enemy attempt:
we're repulsed by our fire. Durinl
these attacks the fire of our bstterie
on the left bank Of the river enhlade,
the enemy troops and inflicted hesvl
losses",n them.
! ION The left bank Of the Mouse I