New-York tribune., 1916-07-08
British Push Forward
Lines on Both Sides
of River.
GERMANS DRIVEN
FROM TWO WOODS
Lose Trenches Near Ovillers
and East of La
Boisselle.

London, July THE teri Of the
statement issued tonight says:
Despite stubborn resistance on the
part Of the enemy our infantry, well
assisted by our artillery, have pushed
their advance with the utmost gal
lantry throughout this morning and
gained several important successes.
South Of Thiepval, after fierce pre-
Hminary bombardment, a further por-
tion Of the immensely strong work
known as the Leipzig redoubt was
carried by assault. This redoubt IS
situated in n salient Of the German
line and the enemy has exerted all his
ingenuity over its fortifcations during
the last twenty months.
Further south one of our brigades'
attacking from the west, forced its
way across 500 yards Of the German
front line trenches into the enemys
defences in Ovillers. Fierce fighting
is now in progress for possession OF
the village.
Following our successes Of last night
TO the east Of La Boisselle we ad-
vanced our line over maze Of German
trenches on front Of nearly 2,oOO
wards TO a depth OF 500 yards. o.,
North Of Fricourt, linking up with
tho above attack. we drove the enemy
from two woods and three lines OF
trenches.
Germans Fall Back.
About 10 a. m. the Prussian Guards
were thrown into the hght east OF
ContalmaisoY in a desperate effort TO
force us back. The attack was crushed
nv our fire. The enemy subsequently
fell back 10 the north, leaving 'UO
prisoners Of various regiments IN our
hands. About noon our infantry car
ried the village Of Contalmalson by
storm. but were subsequently forced
out again by a strong counter attack.
The enemy's casualties to-day must
have been very severe. Large num-
bers Of troops, retiring over the open
were caught by our artillery. and the
village of Bazentin-ie-Petit was heav-
1v shelled al d time when It was seen
10 be full Of German reserves.
An officer prisoner states that ms
battalion came under raklng ma
chine gun fire from one OF our aero
planes. which was flying over the pat
tlefeld AT an altitude OF 3OO feet.
Shortly aftorward the same battalion
was heavily shelled by our long range
guns. -,.
Heavy rain has been falling through,
out the day, and the sodden ground
and Hooded state Of the trenches ADDED
TO the difficulty experienced by our
troops.
Violent Fighting Along Ancre.
The Afternoon report said:
This morning in certain sectors OF
the battlefield east Of Albert we re-
sumed vigorous offensive at dawn
The Germans at the same time
launched heavy attacks on our new
trenches in the vicinity OF the AncIe
and north OF Fricourt, with the result
that violent fghting is now IN progress
along the whole front between the
Ancre and Montauban.
i'm TO the present several important
tactical successes have been gained by
our infantry IN the vicinity OF Ovlllers,
La Boisselle and Contalmaison' Du'
northwest Of Thiepval the enemy sue
ceeded temporarily in regaining two OF
tbrec hundred yards Of lost ground.
Last night the enemy heavily bonn
berded our new positions a. Bernahay
wood and Montauban and near La Bols-
selle. using in some places lachryma-
tory shells. Eastward Of La BolsselIe'
aDer severe fighting IN whlch the en-
emy suffered heavy casualties, we capt.
ured another trench on front OF
600 wards. where we are now firmly
established.
Southwest Of Thiepval determined
attack on our new lines was completely
crushed.
The enemy's artillery was particu-
larlv active in the Loos salient and op,
posite Hulluch. Our artillery shelled
the encmys communication trenches
and biliets at various places. We sue
cessfully sprang two mines opposite
Aucbv and Hul'uch.