Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-12
SAYS ALLIES CANNOT
PIERCE OPPOSING LINES
Correspondent Gives Impressions oil
Fighting In the Somnnc
Region.
NO POSITIVE RESULT GAINED
Nearly 100000 Men Are Engaged.
Bombardment Has Been Incrcas-
ing Since August .8-Acres Change
Hands Many Times.
HY WILLIAM nAYAnD HALE.

GENERAL GERMAN ARMY HEAD
QUARTERS IN THE WEST. September
tby courier TO Berlin. September I'D.
1t is not possible at this point. where
converge all lines OF communication
with every mile of front. to commune
cate the reports of the material re-
suits OF the great battle OF September
4. 3 and 6, with my own observations
in II series of really remarkable views.
which luck gave me. of the successive
~ critical positions in the three days
struggle.
On the first day | was in fun sight
of the whole battle stretch. on the two
following days on tic firing line, first
north. then south OF the Sommc. be-
sides having been throughout the en-
tire week in the heart OF tho field oper-
atoms. dying in a swift motor between
batteries and observation points and
the base visiting In turn three head
quarters, observing the STATS at their
work. and, while the action was still
on. convcrsing with such commanders
as Field Marshal Crown Prince OF Iia-
varia and other generals.
While ii is difficult to obtain "A
knowledge of the large results for the
observer watching the details OF the
battle, especially one OF this gigantic
scale. it seems 7 was not far wrong
in the estimates given in my dis
patches from The field.
confirmed that nearly 400. 900
men are actually engaged. estimated
that there were thirty-Hvc French and
Eng liSh divisions. but the number OF
unattached artillery and technical
units brings up tho entente force 10
about 100000
FIRING ON SUNDAY
BEAT ALI RECORDS
The expenditure Of ammunition. 1t
is agreed is unprecedented and in
caiculab!e. The bombardIacnt has
been increasing steadily since August
IS. eliminating in a hurricane fire on
last sunday which passed all conccp-
tons OF what hitherto had seemed pos
siblc.
When the storm broke on the Ger
man front. II was only after the ground
had been plowed and puiVcrixcd be
yond Semblancc OF place OF defense.
Nevertheless. the men found a refuge
in the shell holes and the constantly
shifting burrows, and when the attack
came they poured "a machine-Cun nre
on tho attackers. under which column
after column wilted.
Only after eXactinS a dreadful price
did the Germans yield ground which
had been literally shot from under
their feet. falling back TO the trenches
that were still intact n little way to
the rear.
Ivy countcrattacks. many portions of
this tragic ground were rcwon. in some
cases only TO lac again lost and posi-
bly, again to he won back. Certainly
one stretch OF a few bloody acres
changed masters four times. South OF
the Somme. a heavy rainstorm broke
rs the German commemorative was
launched. Nevertheless, the village Of
Derby was rcwon, and 30 was Say
court | believe. though am not GER
tain TO the ultimate fate of tho
latter. Not far from where tho first
line had been smashed. three machine
guns managed to retain - position on
an island In tho midst OF tho storm.
Tho French pressed on past II TO at
tack tho German second position. The
latter. observing the desperate position
OF their companions. managed 10 find
trench leading forward. and succeed
ch not only in rescuinE their comrades.
hut also in surrounding the French
advancing storm columns, making them
prisoners.
North OF the Sommc. tho FIRST line.
running eight kilomctcrs from Thicp-