New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-16
Germans Pay Huge
Price for Slight
SOmme Gains
LIQUID FIRE USED
IN VAIN ATTACK
British Victory Is Biggest
in Four Months Cap
tiveS Now Total 5,67S
BY ARTHUR s. DRAPER
tBy Cable 10 rhs Iribunel

fBy caSls 70 Ths Tribunel
London, Nov. 15.-The first phase
Of the Battle Of the Ancre is ended.
Following the mighty blow by which
they obtained one Of the most sweep
ing victories in four months, the
British troops are consolidating their
new positions and preparing for the
still greater efforts TO come. They
made slight advances north and
south Of the Ancre to-day.
Meanwhile, the German counter
attack that had been expected on the
Ancre was delivered instead against
the French lines, both north and
south Of the Sonme, to-day. This
fact leads to the conclusion that the
Germans believed Foch's troops less
able to withstand a heavy assault at
the present moment than the trium-
phant British.
ftnetfhte IFBboiTo Vihnke
The German infantry were sent
against the French lines in two great
sections. One beat against the de-
fences in the region Of Ablaincourt
and Pressoire. These attacks were
delivered after three days Of inces-
SAINT bombardment, and lasted the
entire morning and afternoon. The
sole success obtained by the attackers
was the capture Of few houses in
the eastern part Of Pfessoire.
The Germans made extensive use
Of flaming liquids and tear-produc-
ing shells, but assault after assault
was beaten back by the accurate fire
Of the French guns and at the point
Of the bayonet, when the attackers
penetrated as far as the French
trenches. The French official state
ment describes the losses Of the Ger
mans In these assaults as terrific.
The other attack was aimed at the
French positions On the seven-mile
front from the region Of Les Boeufs
to a point south Of Bouchavesnes. At
the price Of heavy casualties tho
Germans succeeded In winning a
foothold in the advanced French
trenches In the northern and western
outskirts Of st. Pierre Vast Wood.
Everywhere else the attacking forces
were hurled back with greatly re-
duced numbers.
Pail in Main Objects
As an attempt TO infiict q telling
defeat on tbs French and so divert
the attention Of the British from
their Ancrs drive-and such the Ger
man counter blow Is assumed 70 have
been-ths powerful effort against
Foch's lines may be said to have
failed completely in It's principal OBJ
jects.
Enough details Of the great Ancrs
drive are now at hand to get q fairly
comprehensive view of this movement.
ene of the very few successful big
surprise attacks since trench fighting
began. Il Is not too much to say that
the element Of surprise was tho out
standing feature Of the battle.
The British frankly admit their
astonishment at the magnitude OF
their success and affirm that il could
not have been obtained without sur
prise. Since Monday they have taken
5,67s prisoners.
Battle in the Fog
The battle began in the fog and
for hours neither side knew what u
had won or lost. Out OF the mists,
however, Is growing a victory for the
English troops that will loom large
on the records Of the Western Of
fensive.
For days tho whole German line for
miles had been bsthed in she'll.
fortnight ago the Germans made
small infantry attack near Beaumont
Hamel. They were repulsed easily,
and did not try again. nor was there
any counter attack by the British.
Except for sporadic bombardments
By the British to worry the enemy, and
feints at other points, nothing hap
psned north Of the Ancre. Prince Rup-
precht was evidently confident that his
frat fears OF attack in that quarter
were ungrounded.
On Sunday last the British guns re-
sumed the bombardment of the Germsn
lines In this sector, but IL was not until
about s o'clock Monday morning that
the fire became unusually violent be-
tween Hebuterne and Thiepvsl.
Advance Begins at Dawn
A heavy mist hung over the damp,
cold trenches filled with English eoun-
try regiments. In the PLY country
north Of the Ancre the gro0nd was fair