Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-07-05
Expect Gigantic Engage
ment to Culminate
Offensive
BOTH SIDES ANXIOUS
Teutons' Fate Now Believed 10 be
Ringing on Bavarian Princes Army
acSS

made further progress at important
points last night in heavy fighting
between the lAncre and the Somme'
General Haig, British commander IN
chief, reported today.
At Thiepval northeast OF Al
bert), two determined enemy attacks
were repulsed, the enemy suffering
heavy losses,' said the official state
ment.
Paris. July 5--French troops last
night resumed their great drive
against the Germans on both side CT
the River Somme.
During the night we carried
German trench line east of Curlu.
north of the Somme," it was officially
announced today.
"South of the Somme, following
further gains, French infantry cap
tured the Sormont farm, situated on
the left bank of the river across
from Clery. All the southern region
between this farm and Hill G3, on
the road between Flaucourt and Bar
Ieux. fell into the hands OF the French
"The position at Beiioy en Santerre
| Captured by the French Monday
was attacked by the Germans during
| tho night. They captured the eastern
part of the village, but were after
ward elected by counter attack
"The Germans are still holding part
of the village of Estrees (southwesr
of Peronne). where the struggle Is
most violent. All German counter at
tacks broke down under French lire.
! "The total number of unwounded
prisoners in our hands thus far IS
g 600 The number Of guns captured
is vet unknown. A single French
army corps, operating south of the
Somme. captured sixty guns.
! Paris, July 5-The vastly impor-
,ant fact of the Picardy offensive
which is not apparent from the sur
face indications, is that General
.Joffre thanks to the deathless Verdun
stand and the Somme drive, mas
forced the Kaiser's western lcgionS
into five distinct armies.
This means that General Won
Falkenhayn has found it necessary
to prepare for the moment when open
battle shall decide whether he stays
in France or seeks behind the Rhine
refuge or destruction.
Half a million men, commanded by
the Bayarian Crown Prince, are try
;nr to stem the Franco-British at
t,ck At least another half million
under the Imperial Grown Prince are
committed to. the life and death strug-
ple on the Meuse. The remaining
three Teuton armies are:
THE Duke of Albert, of Wurttem-
berp's force, including all the Ger
man marines, facing .Ypres; Won
Heerinpen's army, holding the centre
line in Champagne, and the Land
wehr and Landsturm formation IN
the vosges and in Alsace.
The cream of the German armies
las regards quality and numbers
therefore, is fighting under the eyes
of the two crown princes. heirs OF
the Prussian and .Bavarian houses.
at is significant" said the infor.-
mant chat the dynastic sections
should emerge as the leaders at TINS
supreme moment Of the war. Inc
Bavarian Crown Princes army is the
only section of the German forces or
the western front that has not pass
he'd through the Verdun furnace. IL
has been held in readiness to mee'
the Franco British stroke. IT the
FAllics shatter it the moment fori th'
general German retreat will nave
been sounded, for the Imperial crown
Princes badly mauled army is not II
condition to retrieve the disaster far
ther north. ,rA 40
"We have forced the Germans tt
echelon their armies in deep column!
They can no longer carry out thell
, trench warfare as previously, for the!
have not sufficient men.
"In the Picardy region half mil