The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-02
LONDON IS JUBILhNT

London July 1.--After weeks of 1n- tense bombardment with guns of every calibre, firing 100000 shells daily the British early this morning launched general offensive against the German line along a front of 20 miles north of the River Somme They succeeded in talk ing the German front line trenches ana. capturing many men.
 The French on the British right CO., operated in the attack When the last dispatches thus far received left British head Quarters, the fighting was still pro- ceeding and further successes, 1t was said were being recorded.
 The front selected for the British of fensive was decided upon many weeks ago and the bombardment of the rest Of the line as well as the frequent raics which procured for British headquarters important information as to the dispos- tion of the Germans, was designed to keep the German generals uncertain as to the point at which they would be called upon to meet the brunt of the at tack.
 This is the first time since the out break of the war that the intention Of an army to undertake an offensive has been so we'll advertised. A week ago when the German alta cks against Yer dun began to make further headway. and it was feared the army Of the crown prince was getting within distance CT Verdun which was dangerous for the al lies the British guns began to speak. Since then, except for the hours when British infantrymen were raiding Ger man trenches, a continental pomparo- ment has been maintained
 Batteries which now are innumeraple, took turns at smashing the -GermaN de- lenses, destroying communication trenches and blowing up ammunition de- pots New trench mortars. particularly destructive, tore away wire entansle- ments, broke down parapets, and gener- ally opened the way for men with rifles and bayonets.
 USING BIGGEST GUNS
 Big guns of 15 inches and other large calibres prevented the Germans from bringing up support. wrecking everything within range. The artillery fire was par ticularly intense on the stretch Of front north of the Somme and earlier dispatches told of the destruction of the towns or Thepval and Beaucourt, where the Ger mans had concentrated ammunition.
 Early this morning more guns were brought into action on this 20-mile sector and for an hour and half the Germans were subjected to bombardment which is described as the fiercest experienced in this war of heavy artillery. The news of the British offensive creat- ed the greatest enthusiasm and details of the battle are being anxiously await ed Only this morning the correspond- ents at the front for British newspapers while writing of the British artillery and raiding successes warned the public that an advance must be made by infantry and not by artillery and that the British army could not expect to come out or the engagement scathless First accounts of the battle. however, state that the British casualties were not heavy.
 The news spread throughout London like wildfre There was a frantic rush for special editions of the evening news papers Along the Strand and other thor oughfares there was turmoil of excite ment. From the tops of buses passengers, especially soldiers, cheered the tidings- Men and women in little groups scanned the special editions, then broke out in cheers of joy.
 The war office announced that the neces- sary passenger traffic between Great Britain and the continent. would be regu- lated closely and reduced as far as pos sb,e Only those having serious reasons are permitted to travel. To prevent transmission of naval or military infor- nation, all passengers basgase yill be searched.