Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1916-07-02
Sixteen Miles Of German Trenches Captured BY English
Troops in First Two Hours Of Fighting Saturday, the
Offensive Launched Along the Somme Marking An
Epoch in European War, With Allies Gaining Steadily

London, July 1.-The supreme
offensive OF the allies began at 1880
this morning. with one OF the great
est Angio-French gains on the west
ern front since the German retreat
from tho gates OF Paris. Two hours
after British troops drove forward,
they had captured sixteen miles OF
German forward trenches north OF
the Somme, the war Office announced
In brief statement.
French troops. on the British right.
struck at the same hour.
The British war Office announced
that the French made equally sat
isfactory" gains. leaving to General
Joffre the honor Of announcing the
full. extent OF the French successes.
No statement had come from the
French war Office early this morning,
but II was believed full report on
the French gains would be made be-
fore night.
The British attack was made on
"a 2O-mile front north OF the Somme.
after one OF the most terrific four
day COMPARTMENTS the world has
ever known. With German advanced
trenches firmly held. the British were
pressing forward to the attack at
$3.50. The latest dispatches to the
war ONCE said the battle was pro-
ceedlng with the utmost violence on
both the British and French fronts.
Many prisoners have been taken.
but Il Is impossible at this hour to
obtain any estimates on the number
captured or the losses. Fragmentary
Idespatches from the front report al
lied casualties have been light.
On the remainder OF the British
front. raiding parties continue to
harass the Germans, penetrating
enemy defenses at many points.
The war office at 2 p. m. issued a
statement Of warning that. in the
interest OF public safety. there should
be no travelling on the continent, ex-
cent for the most serious reason. All
persons intending to leave for the
continent were warned that they
would undergo the strictest examina-
ton under the passport regulations,
and that close search OF their bag
gage and persons would be made.
The French drive began a few
hours after the Germans launched
the most powerful onslaught against
verdun In many weeks. The crown
prince hurled his legions against the
French works east and west OF the
Meuse. The French waG office an
Inounced that on every sector the Ger
mans were repulsed with appalling
losses, except on the northeastern
front, where the French were again
driven out OF Thiaumont works.
A semi-oiiiclal statement issued at
s o'clock this afternoon announced
that the British have captured the
village OF Serre. IA miles southwest
OF Arras, and the village Of Montau-
ban, six miles east Of Albert.
Fighting is going on at the village
OF Mammetz, six miles east OF Albert,
and at the village Of Contalmaison,
four miles northwest OF Albert. The
French holo the eastern part OF the
village OF Contalmaison.
The semi-ofilcial statement, reveal
Ing FOR the FIRST time the exact scene
OF operations, shows that the Anglo
French advance reached Its greatest
depth along a thirteen-mlle front ex-
tending from a point north OF Albert
to a point southeast OF that village,
The Anglo French forces are driving
eastward In the general direction OF
Cambrai, The semi-ofiiclal announce
ment indicates that the advances al
ready extend beyond the capture OF
German forward trenches. announced
In an earlier statement from the war
once. 81
london. July THE long expect
ed British offensive began at 7;30
!