New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-16
Official Statements
on Western, Fighting

Paris. Nor. I5.-To-rights otIcidi
statement reads:
On the Somme front the battle con-
tinued with violence the whole day
The enemy made a strong effort with
considerable electives at the same
time north and south OF the river
The resistance OF our troops held back
the assaults OF their adversaries, who
were able to obtain only limited nd
vantages st the price Of very heavy
losses.
North OF the Somme an attack was
launched. after an intense lombard
ment. against our positions from Les
Bpufs TO the south Of Bouchsvesnes.
The enemy succeeded in gaining foot
hold in our advanced elements in the
northern corner and western outskirts
of St. Pierre Vast Wood. Everywhere
else our machine-gun fire and barrage
fire checked the attempts OF the enemy
South OF the river the Germans re.
newed their attacks IN the course OF
the afternoon on the front of Ablaln-
court and the Chaulnes Wood. mo
struggle. carried on with obstinacy,
ended in the repulse of the Germans,
who were obliged TO return to their
trenches after sanguinary loses. except
in the eastern part Of the village of
Pressoire, where they were able to
make progress.
An earlier report said:
North Of the River Somme we have
made progress to the north OF the wood
of st. Pierre Vast The activity of
the artillery was fairly spirited last
night in the region of Saillisel.
To the south of the Somme the bonn
bardment, which has been going on for
two days in the region of Ablaincourt
and Pressoire, took on last night great
intensity, and was followed this morn
ing by German counter offensive, IN
which large forces took part, directed
upon the positions taken by us on
November 7. From the Ablaincourt
sugar works as far as the wood Of
Chsulnes the attacks were delivered
with ferocity, beginning at s o'clock in
the morning. In spite OF the extent OF
this attack and the use Of large guam
titles Of flaming liquids. together with
subjected 70 a sanguinary check.
To the south of the sugar works, OPP
posite Ablaincourt and PresSiore, as
well as in the wood TO the south of
Pressiore, French artillery and French
machine guns broke the waves of the
enemys assaults. The Germans suf-
fered heavy losses. Only some de-
tachmentS of the enemy were able to
reach a group Of houses to The east Of
Pressiore. A tentative attack by the
enemy delivered on Pressiore at 3
o'clock yesterday afternoon was driven
back with hand grenades. This entire
region is still under bombardment, but
the shellfire has been efficiently coun-
tered by the French.
London, Nov. 15.-To-night'S off,
ciol report reGdSf
During the day we further advanced
our front north Of the Ancre.
The prisoners taken since Monday
morning have reached total of 5,67S.
The troops employed have shown con-
spicuous skill, dash and fortitude. Our
success was not won without a hard
struggle, as the enemy resisted
strongly and as conditions Of the
ground greatly increased the difficulty
of attack. Our losses, considering the
extent of our gains, have not been high.
One division advanced a mile and took
over a thousand prisoners at the ex-
pense of 450 casualties.
South of the Ancre we established
the positions won yesterday east Of
Butte de Marlencourt. The enemy,
massing at one point for counter
attack, was dispersed by our artillery
fire.
Yesterday our airplanes did much
useful work Last night they made
successful bombing attacks on an en-
envy aerodrome. railway lines. stations
and rolling stock.
An earlier statement said:
During the night we secured the
ground won by our attacks yesterday
north Of the Ancre. More prisoners
have been taken, the numbers of which
will be reported later.
Berlin, NOU. 15.-An official state.
ment issued this erening reads:
Western theatre-British attacks
have been carried out on both sides
of the Ancre; on the southern bank
they are already shattered. Fighting
is proceeding near Sailly-Saillisel and
Pressoire.