The Oskaloosa herald., 1916-07-20
GERMANS RETAKE
LOST TERRITORY
TEuToNs REGAIN GROUND IN VI,
cINITY OF BIAcHEs.
PROGRESS MADE BY THE BRITISH
Line Is Pushed Forward on a Thous-
and Yard Front North Of the
Town of oviIIlers--Hard-
est Test Passed.

London, July 19.-While the adverse
weather is compelling lull In the
lighting on the western front, military
critics are taking stock of the situa-
ton. They are agreeably surprised by
the large captures of heavy armament
that Gen. Sir Douglas Haig, the British
commander in chief, announced.
The critics point out how the Brit
ish attacks have been pressed with
the greatest rapidity In order to give
the Germans no time to organize for
midable defeEses. Also, as was evil
denced by the withdrawal of the Brit
ish from the Foureaux wood, where
they had reached the German third
line, General Haig wisely resisted the
temptation to hold on to that point.
1t would have incurred severe fight
Ing, with probably heavy losses, and
General Haig was in favor Of more
methodical advance.
Hardest Tests Passed.
Evidence received from the front,
as well as the official map published
here, seems to prove that the German
second line of defenses was far less
strong and elaborate than the first.
Therefore the military observers be-
lieve that the obstacles are likely to
be less difficult as the entente allies
advance.
Substantial progress by the British
on a front of 1000 yards north of
Ovillers was announced in the war Of
flee statement. The statement follows /:
"Thick mist and incessant rain still
are interfering with our operations
m the neighborhood Of the Somme,
but to the north Of Oyillers we made
substantial progress last night ION
a front Of 1000 yards. The enemy
we're driven out Of severn Strongly
defended points, and we captured
some prisoners and six machine guns.
"Near Wytschaete (Belgium) we
made a successful raid into German
trenches. Opposite Cuinchy (northern
France) a similar attempt by the
enemy was frustrated by our fire."
Prussian Guard Wiped Out.
The capture of Ovillers by the Brit
ish necessitated one of the most san
culinary encounters, of the advance,
wires a correspondent of the Liberte
of Paris.
Nevertheless the British were well
rewarded for their effort, for they
gained possession of the broad high
way leading from Albert to Bapaume.
The village was defended for ten
days by two regiments of the Prussian
guard. The correspondent says that of
these regiments only 126 men survived
and all of these were captured.
1t was at Ovillers that the British Of
fensive, which began July /, was held
up, while the remainder of the line
was advancing. ..a
The defenders Of the town suffered
from hunger and thirst, as the British
curtain of fire prevented the bringing
up Of fresh supplies. Some of the
Germans are reported to have been
poisoned by drinking polluted water
from pond and others to have been
driven mad by the bombardment.
When the survivors left the village
as prisoners the British presented
arms in recognition of the bravery of
their defense. ..a..
Germans Make Gain.
Paris, July 19.-The Germans made
an attack last night on the French
line south OF the Somme and gained
ground in the vicinity of Biaches, the
war office statement announces.
The German attack was delivered
against the French positions from
Biaches to La Maisonette. Several
attempts to take La Malsonette failed
with heavy loss to the Gesmans, the
statement says, but groups of the
attacking forces spread along the
canal on the east side of Biaches,
where the fighting continues.
A German raid on hill 304 On the
verdun front west of the Mouse was
broken up by French infantry fire.,
East of the river there was fighting
with grenades In which the advantage
rested with the French. The artillery
was active about La Laufee and
Chenois.