The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-22
Germans Developing Strong
Counter-Ofensive in Picardy
Section
EACH SIDE SAYS
OTHERS LOSS HEAVY
Russians Hammering Austro-
German Lines Before kovcl
and Lemberg-Progress in
Caucasus

Berlin, July 9l.-The main blow OF
the Franco British allies on the
Somme front has been struck and has
failed. according to a long official
statement issued at main headquar-
ters today. The statement described
in detail the carefully prepared eff
forts of the allies, the attacks they
made and makes the definite state
ment that the drive has crumpled up.
The mighty offensive was launched
with 100000 men on front of twen-
ty=seyen miles north and south OF thu
Somme, yesterday morning. AT only
two points did the attacking troops
make progress and their greatest gain
was less than half mile. Their
losses are described as very heavy
despite the unprecedented artillery
preparation they had made. The off,
cial statement also makes public for
the first time that the British on
Wednesday attempted a drive at Fro-
melles, north of La Bassee. After In
tense gunfire they drove forward on
a front of two miles. The attack was
beaten back by a Bavarian division
and the British retired leaving 1000
dead on the field The Germans took
nearly 500 prisoners.
Developing Counter Offensive.
Following the collapse Of the all
lied smash on the Somme front the
Germans during the night developed
counter-o offensive which is gather
ing force.
ION both sides OF the Somme" says
the main headquarters statement the
enemy. as had been expected. pre-
pared a main blow. but it failed.
After the most intense artillery prep
/ aration on a front of about forty kiIo-
meters attacks were made from a
| point south of Posieres TO a point
| west of Vermandovillers. More than
seventeen divisions, comprising more
than zoo, 900 men were engaged
The result gained by the enemy In
that the first line trenches OF Ger
man division on a front OF about three
kilometers q rs miles) south OF
Hardecourt was forced to retire from
its front trenches TO another line.
about 500 meters back and that enemy
divisions succeeded In penetrating
small wood of Vermandorillers. On
all the rest Of the front the furious
attacks broke 10 pieces owing TO the
death -defying loyalty displayed by
our troops with extraordinary losses
for the enemy. To the present seven.
teen officers and 1900 men have been
captured.
Bavarians Defeat Attackers.
An attaCH DN the EnElSN IN tho
region Of Fromelles on Wednesday. 1t
fas been determined, was executed by
two strong divisions. our gallant Ba-
varians. who were attacked. counted
more than 1000 dead bodies before
their lines and captured ten officers
and All men and sixteen machine
guns.
ION the rest of the front there is
nothing OF importance TO report. Ar-
tillery and mine-throwing activity has
increased south of La Bassee Canal
and northwest of Lens, as we'll as In
the Argonne and on both banks of tho
Mouse. North of Vendress in the
Aisne region. small French attacks
We're repulsed
"A French aeroplane was shot down
south of Posieres and another was
captured northeast OF Bapaume.'
The report adds that the British of
ficial statement Of Thursday. which
reported that one German battalion
OF the One Hundred and Nineteenth
Regiment consisting OF 100 men.
lost $50 men, and that two other bait
talions of the sa me regiment lost more
than half OF their electives, is utter-
ly untrue
ITO stigmatize such reports and to
tranquilize the people at home says
the statement lit may be said that
the regiments entire losses In recent
weeks up to yesterday were less than
500 men. Therefore, the loss. however
,deplorable. is only one-fourth of the
English claim