Gunnison news-champion., 1916-07-07
GREAT DRIVE IS ON
Aagls-FrsseA Army Begin.
Attack Meag West ffaat.
SEVERAL VILLAGES TAKEN.

Rush Made Through Labyrinth Of
Trenches and German Losses Are
Heavy-Fivs Thousand Prisoners
Captured BY Allied Forces.
British and French troops thrown
Sorward In . general attack against
The German linex on both sides Of the
Somme river. sixty miles north Of
Paris. have penetrated at one point to
= depth Of Ave miles, taken several
villages and captured labyrinth Of
trenches. extending to depth Of 1000
sards on . FROM OF seven miles.
The drive. the most spectacular In
that region since the British captured
Loos last September, began Saturday,
after the German trenches had been
bathed in . hail OF shells from guns
Of every caliber for days. Progress has
bsen reported along the entire front
OF about twenty-five miles.
The greatest success gained by the
British was on the right In the cen.
ter they captured what are desyk;nated
IN the Official report as many strong
points along a front Of four miles .
But north OF the Ancre valley to Com
mecourt powerful counter attacks by
the Germans have resulted in forcing
the British back from several sections
of the ground gained by their FIRST on
slaughts.
The French have occupied three
miles of the German second line
trenches. The reserves rushed up by
the Germans were unable to check the
allied advance.
Allies Drive 10 Continuing.
All through the night the great Brit
ish and French offensive continued
with intensity anil there was no letup
in the battle on Sunday. Both British
and French war Offices report a steady
advance at certain points, but speak
also Of the formidable German resist
ance. Fricourt. an important town
three miles east of Albert. has fallen
to the British arms, while the French
have taken Curlu. which lies to the
southeast. The lighting at the south'
ern end Of the British line. where Il
is In contact with the French. Is OF the
fercest nature. tremendous artillery
action preceding the infantry attacks
The French have taken about e.000
prisoners. according to the latest bul.
letins. while the British. although re
porting the capture Of $500. later de
clared that the estimates were too low
Owing 70 the nature Of the battle. II Il
not doubted that the casualties azs
higA.
Notwithstanding the terrific offen
sive against them in the Somme river
region, the Germans have not ceased
in their efforts around verdun. They
have bombartied several Of the Yer
dun sectors and rave launched in
fantry attacks against the French
trenches. While Berlin declares that
the French attacks against the famous
Thiaumout work were repu!sed by
curtains Of fire. the French war office
announces that this strategic point
has been recaptured.
In connection with the operations
now going on aerial activity was
marked. Berlin reports that eight
British and three French machines
were brought down within the Ger
man lines and that four others also
were shot down. The British admit
three Of their machines are missing.
Italians Continuing Trentlno Advance.
Continuing their offensive in the
Trentino. the Italians have begun an
attack on the Austrian fortified posi-
tions between Zusna Totya and Fop-
piano. says the Italian ofncial state
ment The AustrisEs were driven
from . section Of trenches north of
Pedeecala. the statement adds. and
some more trenches were carried be-
tween Helx and MonfaLcone. In the
latter battle 1876 Austrians were taken
prisonrs.
Additional successes are reported by
Petrogrsd. the oflcIal communication
announcing that Austrian positions
west OF Kolomea. in Galicia, have
been taken by storm with the capture
Of 1000 prisoners.
The Austro Germans in volhynfa are
making desperate counter attacks.