Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-10-18
RECENT FIGHTING
ON SOMME FRONT
PARALLELED
Detailed Reports Show At
taCkS Between Oct 9 and
Oct, IS Greatest Actions of
Whole Battle,
tsv MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL ls...D wr.s,


Berlin, oct II (by Wireless to
Sayville) -"Detailed reporta about
recent fighting on the Somme front
show distinctly that the attacks be-
tween October and october 10 are
to be reckoned among the the great
est actions of the whole Somme bat
tie says the overseas News agency
THE detectives of these great French
and British efforts were Bapaume
and Peronne. Moreover, numerous
hostile attacks of violence were di-
rected against the front from Cour-
celette to st. Pierre WAIST wood north
Of the Somme, and between Fresnes
and Mazancourt and against Chaul-
mes, south of the river OF these en-
gagements those north of the Somme
We're most severe.
ION October 9, 10 and II the main
centers of combat were north of
Thievpal, north of Courcelette, near
Sally SailHsel and in the vicinity of
the St Pierre WAIST wood. on Octo-
Der II a great and well co-ordinated
attack was launched over the whole
front from Courcelette to Boucha-
Vesnes.'
Even Surpassed Early October Attack
Speaking of the attacks on October
IL, the news agency says;
THE defenders of the Somme front
had thought it impossible that the
violence of the artillery fire in the
great attack early in october could
be exceeded, but nevertheless even
this was surpassed. In spite of the
terrific nail of iron the British and
French did not succeed in reducing
the German positions to such an ex-
tent that they could he stormed.
French and British infantry in com
pact waves charged the German po-
sitions but were speedily brought to
a standstill by the German curtain Of
fire.
Notwithstanding their heavy loss
es, they attempted one attack after
another Near Sailly-Saillisel six
charges were made All failed COM
pletely, with the heaviest losses for
the enemy. German infantry left
their shelters and standing in the
open, shot down the enemy columns
with rifles and machine guns.
The effect of the German fire on
the French and British, the news
agency says, was simply shocking ~
The account continues;
"The Germans had not lost their
energy and will, Notwithstanding days
of the heaviest shellng, lack of sleep
and the impossbility of obtaining
sufficient food on account Of the in
terruptionl to communications. The
enemy displayed remarkable tenacity,
but more remarkable was the bravery
of the Germans, who not only had to
defend positions against superior
numbers but were called on to make
and expel the enemy
wherever he succeeded in gaining a
foothold in the German line.
"Whole columns of French and
British were literally moved down by
the German fire, the news agency
SAYS. and in the places where the
fighting was fiercest especially be-
fore St Pierre Vast wood, barbados
Of corpses were piled up The ac-
count continues:
THE enemy's attacks abated some
what on October 10. He concentrat-
ed his efforts against Sailly-Saillisel
and st. Pierre-Vaast wood, as well as
the district east of Bouchavesnes.
There is no possible doubt the en-
envy attempted to reach decision
with this enormous effort, Especially
on October II he planned to break
through on the largest scale. All pris-
oners declare that the losses of the
enemy, especially those of the Brit
ish, reached an amount here tofore
unknown. Reports of German troops
confirm this. Prisoners state French
infantry companies now number
hardly fifty men. The commander
in order to stimulate the courage Of
the troops had alcoholic drinks dis
tributed profusely among them be-
fore the charge. This fact shows
better than anything else the real
morale of the French troops Pris-
oners speak Of the attack as hell on
the Somme," and useless slaughter,
The tragedy Of the Somme seems
near a climax"