New-York tribune., 1916-07-11
FRENCH ADVANCE
ALONG THE S0MME
Continued from page

offensive now extends. thus greatly in
creasing the freedom of their ma
npuvres.
Biaches was the last German defence
OF Peronne on the west. SeiZlng y
ruts the bridcenead IN French hands
Il is only 200 yards from Peronne
as the crow flies. though on account Of
the marshy nature of the ground along
the river. by the road u Is three kilo-
metres to the city.
South of Biaches the French capt
ured Hill 81. between Biaches and Bar
leux. This brings them 20 the foot Of
Hill 90 and within striking distance
strong position the Germans hold be.
tween the French lines and the river
all along the front of the offensive.
The French are now so near Nillers
Carbonnel that the Germans have had
TO withdraw their heavy guns 10 the
right of the bank OF the river under
menace of the French advance and no
longer have on the left bank anything
except field pieces 70 oppose the French
forward march. IL is not possible 20 say
if the French plans contemplate for the
moment the crossing of the river, but
they so completely take IN the flank
and rear of the German positions
northeast Of Chaulnes that II can be
foreseen that the Germans must rec
tify their lines on that part OF the
front as a result of the strategical po-
sition secured by the French advance
without striking blow on that part
of the line.
Villers Carbonnel ia the actual pres
ent centre Of German resistance on the
left bank Of the Somme. Berny, Denie-
court and Soyecourt are almost certain
to fall to the French with Villers Car
bonnel. or Immediately after
The battle yesterday was preceded by
forty ght hours Of bombardment from
the French big gun positions on the
plateau, extending south from Hill lOb,
and unrolled from north 10 south. fol-
lowing the movement en- echelon from
left 70 right. which marked all this
advance. Unlike Saturdays fight on
the rorth bank. the French yesterday
had clear weather, and their aeroplanes.
circling over the German lines, were
able TO be Of the greatest assistance
to the infantry in directing the artil-
lery fire.
The advance began in the morning
from the bridge over the Somme l.20o
ldrLH IN 1loUL OF Hotmoil r. arm ne
left wing. departing In three waves,
seized the German trenches north OF
Biaches and rapidly consolidated the
positions. throwing the Germans back
over the low hills intervening between
the Somme Canal and the river at that
point. BY II o'clock Biaches was under
attacl from the north and west, while
the French right wing. advancing from
Flaucourt and Hill SO. took Hill 81 and
the road from Biaches 70 Barleux.
At / o'clock Biaches was under fire
from three sides north. west and south.
The Germans had organized Biaches
INTO a fortresslihe position. such as
has been their practice IN all the
Somme towns, and the defenders fought
desperately But the French. instead
Of sacrificing the men in direct as
sault. rapidly encircled the town. At >
o'clock the Germans retired. leaving
their works, guns and a great quantity
Of material. and the French moved into
'ts possession.
Further 10 the south the French
reached BarleuX. and the night con
tinued for the village, the seizure OF
which places Hill 30 and Nillers Car
bonnel between TWO fires, from the
north and west.