The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-20
Important Position Carried and
Thousand German Prisoners
a Are Taken
FLAW AND TEUTON AT
IT HAMMER AND TONGS
ide of Battle Ebbs and Flows
in Conflict for kovel and in
Russian Drive Through Car
pathians

London, Aug. S,-WTth huge mum
ers OF men. the British today con-
anued the tremendous attack on the
lermans north OF the Somme, which
ommenced yesterday and was sus-
hined without a moments intermis-
ION throughout the night.
In his dispatch late tonight General
Laig announces that the important
ldge southeast of Thtepval has been
Arried and that the British lines have
cen advanced half way to Glnchy, as
Fell as to edge of Guillmont Ger
IAN prisoners so far brought in num-
er nearly 1000.
The grand attack. which began on
Font of twelve and a half miles. was
oncentrated today on the eight mile
ne from Thiepval to "A point below
|utllemont. The French corps, whose
ront joins up with the British near
be latter place. contented themselves
uring the day with consoli !Ating the
brain won in the fighting OF yeSter-
ny and last night and ia driving the
Germans from "A trench element north
Maurepas. where they had gained
foothold IN a night counter-attack,
Paid Heavy Toll.
Prior TO todays successes the
british had progressed at Il number
points on the front OF attack. not,
|owever. without bloody losses 1t is
eported that Canadian and Aus
Ealian troops bore the brunt of the
ghung with support by Irish corps,
nd the raeu o: kitchener's army.
heir gains may be listed as follows:
i--On a two mile front from the
gh wood TO the junction with tho
french the British pushed forward
ON 200 to 500 yards Their great
1t gain was approximately one
ird OF mile In depth. This gain
Fought them to the outskirts OF
uiilemont and put them in possession
orchards north OF Longuevai
NORTH OF the high wood. as far
the Bapaume high road they
krds in length.
3--on n front OF mile and a half
ON Ovilers TO Thiepval. they seized
GeFman trench line.
In fighting around Nouquet farm.
here they are pushing their advance
the east against the German third
be as well as debouching TO tho
utheast they registered an advance
800 yards.
The significance Of these gains lies
the fact that Gomhles the heavily
rtiied village which operates as a
erman point OF support. is now in
aminent peril. while the British have
ught their way to the foot of Mar
npuich, the dominating height of
10 neighborhood.
Now "SofteninG' Third LINE
The British. also. now hold ground
both sides of Guillemont and II Is
81 believed this ruined hamlet can
4 oh lnr
the ridge southeast of Thiepval
ves Haigs artillery a chance at the
ird line defenses of the Germans
that the heavy shells can soften"
en- before the next blow IL struck
II now develops that the tremen-
bus blow which was struck yesterday
8 designed as a general allied often
~ on the western front, or the two
ain theatcrs on that front, the at
50 on the Somme being allied with
ose on tho Mouse. by which the
ranch have completely captured
(eury and made other gains north
u OF verdun-
This operation. which is described
the German general staff as q
tupendous effort" Is declared "on
ans admit that their first line
inches were penetrated at num-
4 Of points and that the salient be-
keen Guillemont and Maurepas was
|nsiderably shortened. but declare
At the attacking troops were driven
pm the greater part of the captured
|ound. Against the loss OF some
Dnch elements. the Germans point
the fact that they have on the
edt side Of their ledger large fig-
- Of allied Casualties.
tho enemy paid with tremendous
u sanguinary losses for his efforts"
70 the ofIicial statement issued at
rim.
That tho German losses also were
avy is indicated by the fury with
hich thoy delivered counter-attacks
the whole OF the front during the
Tor hours Of the night. These at
cks, It Is ofiicially announced. we're
Siforn,ly repulsed.
Might Attacks in Storm.
The night attacks were delivered
ring q furious storm which has
en sweeping the battlefield for
ore than ~ hours. 1t has brought
decided change in the weather.
hich Ia now chilly and penetrating,
ding moro discomforts to the SOL
srs who are lighting in rain-filled
inches ana muddy shell craters.
y night battle, fought under the
S3rd light OF star shells and the
mes OF lightning in the heavens
hlch We'd with the flashes Of tho
Eat guns. u described as a superb
ectacle Of destruction. The fog to-
y greatly hampered artillery OBJ
walton and led to a considera BILE
il In this department on the French
bnt
ulg Guns Cut loose Ut verdun.
n Vsrdun. however, tho battle Of
biz guns has beon resumed with
aa4er intcnsity than ever. There
~ no infantry actions during the
=. according to the communique
a Paris, Although sharp encount-
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