The Mankato free press., 1916-07-14
PERRoNE IS IN GRASP
Stragetic Points Are Said to
Have Been Seized Lately
BY the Allies
UNITED Press Dispatch.1


report came of the capture of the
village of Contalmaison, east of AL
bert, with the taking of 189 Germans
as prisoners.
Paris, France, July 11.-Twenty-
two villages have been captured
thus far, since the Anglo French
forces commenced their great often
sive against the Germans. Perrone
is now only about one mile away.
1t is almost within the grasp of the
French. This city is of tremendous
strategic Importance, being a great
railroad center When it falls into
the hands of the French, the move
ment of the German troops by rail
along the French battle front will
be tremendously handicapped.
Reports From Front
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.J
London, July 1.-THE British cap
tured Contalmanaison on the French
front last night, the war office an
nounced today. Several lines of
trenches in the Mametz wood were
taken by the British. Heavy fighting
continues in the Trones wood, with
the capture by the French of Lava
sonette hill, which dominates the val
ley of the Somme and from which ev-
erything that happens in Peronne can
be observed one of the primary objects
of the Anglo French offensive, has
been achieved
The two armies are now engaged
in an effort to organize and extend
the limits of the ground they have
gained and in repelling German
counter attacks which were direct
ed particularly against the British to
the north of the river where they sue
ceeded in regaining footing in
Trones wood. The Germans on their
part are heavily shelling the allied
front of Tens to the Belgian coast, but
there have been no attempts of in
fantry actions except the usual raids
in which both sides were engaged.
The Russians continue to advance
towards Kovel and now are engaged
in a pitched battle along the Stok-
hod which they have crossed.
Attack on verdun Defenses.
UNITED Press Dispatch.]
Paris, France, July 1.-THE Ger
mans last night commenced another
furious attack on the Verdun defens-
es. Germans rushed from the village
of Fleury and stormed the French
positions between that and Chenois
Some trenches were taken, but the
French by prompt COUNTER attack
drove out the Germans from all that
they had won. Everywhere else the
German assaults were completely re-
pulsed.
The French war office admitted
that German forces had made a sue
cessful advance in the province of
Lorraine, in taking 200 yards of
trenches in the vicinity of Reillon.
Berlin, Germany, July 1.-THE war
office today reported the repulse of a
strong British attack on Albert high
way, held by the Germans.
Paris, France, July 1.-THE war
office today stated that during the
past two days the French had taken
German prisoners to the number of
LOO.
Drove Back British.
London, July lin one of the most
desperate hand to hand struggles of
the Western front the Germans drove
back the advancing British and enter
ed the Trones woods.
Five great waves of German infantry.
reinforced by heavy guns behind them.
rolled against the British lines in their
new position and were thrown back
again
The sixth assault succeeded and the
British were thrust out of the woods.
The English are organizing themselves
for another attempt to capture the po-
sition and desultory fighting continued
in the wood.
The casualties on both sides were
heavy.
With the British suffering reversal
the French drove on toward Peronne,
and announced that a brilliant attack
had carried Hill 81, an important
height which dominates the Somme
river southeast of Biaches and gives
the French a great advantage in their
campaign back of the German lines.
French Capture Village.
Inc taxing Dy the fTench or BlacheS
village, on the bank of the Somme, op-
posite st. Radegonda, the principal
suburb of Peronne, was accomplished
in about an hour and half. Every
German in the village was killed or
captured.
While Berlin declares that the at
tacks Of the Russians on the East
front have been repulsed at every
point, Petrograd proclaims another i'm
portant advance in Volhynia.
The Russians declare they are cross
ing the bitterly defended River Stok-
hod at several points in their march
toward Kovel.
The Germans organized on the left
bank of the river and are holding their
ground, pouring fire into the soldiers
crossing the stream.
The crossing of the river, 1t is indi-
Gated, is costing the Russians many
lives, for almost every bridge has
been destroyed by the enemy and the
waters have been mined.