New-York tribune., 1916-07-20
Clear Delville Wood,
Push On Toward
PoziereS.
TIP OF ALLIED
WEDGE INTACT
Halted Along Somme, Ger
mans Plan New
Verdun Drive.
rBy Cable 20 n. rpbune ]


London, July l9.-The British are
rolling back the German counter at
tack, slowly, but with the unfagging
steadiness that has marked General
Haig's whole strategy in the Picardy
offensive.
Along the two miles from Bazentil
to Longueval the fury Of the battle
is unabated, with the tide turning in
favor of the British. Both sides are
sustaining heavy losses, for the Teu-
ton assault is the strongest counter
thrust they have attempted since the
Allies began their push on July /.
Pounding hard after their pre-
paratory attack with thousands Of
asphyxiating and tear producing
shells, the German left wing last
night forced the British to yield some
ground in the Delville Wood and in
the northern outskirts of Longueval.
Britiah Regain Ground.
Haig's troops struck back to-day
and succeeded in Wrestling from the
, enemy most of the ground he had
won last night. The quickness with
which this territory was regained
seems TO indicate that the strength
of the German counter attacks is
waning.
The German system Of defence re-
quires heavy counter attacks. Driven
from their first and second lines, and
with their backs to the third line de-
Tending the approaches to the Albert
plateau, the time has come to make
the greatest effort to block the road
TO Bapaume.
Germans Lose Initiative.
That effort the Germans began yes
terday. At first they succeeded in fore
ing back Haig's lines, but they could
not hold their gains. The desperate
fighting continues. but the initiative
again has passed to the British.
The Longueval sector was the most
feasible spot at which to launch this
counter attack, on which so much de-
pends. 1t stands on high ground domi-
mating the country 10 the north. II is
near the buckle Of the Anglo French
armor, and has been the scene Of very
heavy fighting, including the bloody
battle Of Trones Wood.
At the easternmost tip of the British
wedge the Germans attacked, hurling
masses of men at the opposing line.
both from the north and from the east
II the front can be forced back here the
advance at Pozieres, at the other end Of
the line. will be seriously hampered. II
the tip Of the wedge is blunted, the
British driving power will be decreased
considerably.
Germans Fail at Waterloo.
While the fighting was proceeding In
the Delville Wood the Germans con-
centrated great numbers Of men for an
attack on the Waterloo farm. lying TO
the east of Longueval. These were dis
per.ed by the British fire.
The British made several attacks in
the Ovillers sector on their left fank.
where they are pushing toward
Pozieres. But their greatest effort has
been TO repel and TO turn the German
counter attack. Until the decision has
been reached on the right flank IL is
hardly likely that a new thrust at
Bapaume will be attempted.
Meanwhile the heavy bombardment
from Gommecourt 20 the sea forecasts
a British blow at another point without
long delay. The fire Of the Belgian
batteries has completely overturned
! the enemy works north Of Dixmude,
and continued raids in many other
sectors presage larger activity.
Artillery Duels at yerdun.
Before Verdun there has been no
infantry action, but the heavy guns are
keeping up the duel. The Crown
Princes next move st Verdun Is
awaited with almost as much interest
in London as in France.
There are indications that Germany
is almost ready for another desperate
gamble. Thrown on the defensive for
the first time in many months by the
attack along the Somme, a new and
successful assault on Verdun would
brace the German army and curb ris-
ing discomfort among the German peo-
pie. The venture on the Meuse, long
under way, will be carried through -
triumph IL il is humanity possible. The
attacks of the Crown Prince, regard
.less of losses. have given ample proof
of that. The moral effect, should
Verdun fall would be tremendous at
this time of stress for German arms.
As for the Allied attack On tAs