Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-05
FOCH'S OFFENSIVE YIELDS
NEW GAINS; GERMANS MAKE
TERRIFIC COUNTER DASHES
PARIS, July |

To the north and south of the Somme
River the steady advance Of the French
continues in spite Of transforms and furious
counter-attacks by the Germans.
North of the river German trenches east
of Curlu were captured in n storm attack
and the French also occupied Sormont
farm, the War Office stated today In an
official communique.
South of the river the Germans, using
fresh troops delivered strong attacks and
succeeded in reoccupying Belloy-en-San-
terre but were again driven out by French
counter-attacks.
There has been no let-up in the savagery
of the' fighting In Picardy, despite the
stormy weather. Although the weather has
been foggy the big guns on both sides are
In furious action.
This ls the fifth day of the mighty often
Bive movement of the Allies and already the
results tremendous as to cause wide
spread amaZement.
In brief the main achievements of the
Anglo French troops are these:
First The capture of nearly score Of
strongly fortified villages from the Germans
Second, The capture of about $4,000
German soldiers, we'll as many heavy
guns some of which had been sent north
from Verdun.
Third. An advance of from six to eight
miles on both sides of the Somme over
front of 20 miles.
According to official information. the most
terrific fighting on the part of the line held
Dy the tTenCn Is III 'front.' OIL leTOHne' Inc
Germans are making the utmost endeavors
TO hold the town in order to prevent the
railroads and highways centring there
from falling into the hand of the French.
Peronne is one of the main junction
points on the strategic lines used by the
Germans to supply their troops along the
scissors salient
BY the capture of the German trenches.
on both the first and second lines, between
Curlu and Assevllers. the French have
driven sharp salient into the German
lines. The French guns behind the apex of
this salient are smashing Peronne about the
ears of its German defenders
General Foch, the commander of the
French armies engaged with the Germans
in the sector of the Somme, has issued a spe-
cial order congratulating his troops upon
their gallantry. which has won them such
magnificent gains.
For n time the French delayed their at.
tacks, awaiting reinforcements for the Brit
fish. When these reached the front the ad'
vance was renewed with redoubled visor.
Germany is rushing all her available re-
serves TO the front French air scouts re-
port that the railway line between Cologne
and Cambrai is clogged with troops and
ammunition trains.
The losses of the French and British
have been extremely small compared with
the Importance of their gains Ono army
corps 10000 mem, which was In the van
guard of the heavy fighting around Fla
court lost only 500 men. Some of the
losses at all. This is due to the overwhelm-
ing accuracy OF the Allies gun fire.
The text of the official communique fol-
lows:
North of the Somme we resumed our
offensive action and captured during
the night a line of German trenches
east of Curlu.
South of the Somme our infantry.
continuing their success in the direction
of the river, captured Sormont farm.
located on the west bank opposite Gle
ry, and all the region to the south be-
tween that farm and Hill 63 on the road
which leads to Flaucourt, Barleux Is
In our possession. Last night, after
violent bombardment the enemy at
tackled Belloy-en-Santerre, of which he
was able 10 occupy temporarily the
eastern section. but counter offensive
put the entire village again in the hands
of troops. The Germans still
maintaining themselves on the out
skirts, where the battle Is very sharp.
Counter-attacks directed against our
positions have been broken up by our
fire.
The total number of unwounded pris-
oners taken up to the present time is
more than 5000.
The exact number of guns captured
is not yet known, but the single army
corps operating south of the Somme
has captured GO guns
On the left bank of the Meuse an
enemy attack late yesterday against
the Avocourt redoubt was completely
repulsed by our machine gunfre. Be
tween the region of Avocourt and Hill
304 the Germans launched a violent
attack. Despite the employment OF
- flaming liquids in large quantities by
the enemy, the attack was checked.
the assailants suffering severe losses.
on the right bank the bombardment
continues very violent in the region of
the Thlaumont work and the Chenois
sector.