The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-04
TO SEIZE PERONNE

Continued from Page One.)
French and the British exerting pow
erful pressure northwest of the town,
the Germans will face their gravest
defensive problem since they retired
from the Marine.
British Capture Poodle.
Press Headquarters on the French
Front, July 8, II p m, via London
July 4-Siege fighting continued to-
day beyond Fricourt. The British.
taking Poodle and the bottom woods,
advanced toward the main German
second line defense.
The Associated Press correspondent
today went over the territory previous
ly taken by the British from the west
of Montauban through the famous
Dantzig valley where the German nest
of machine guns gave the British their
greatest trouble in their first days
attack on Mametz and Fricourt, which
now are being steadily shelled by the
Germans. Officers and men who have
had been regularly supplied with food
but they needed good wash and
that water was unprocurable-
The soldiers in Dantzig already were
excited over one of those theatric
scenes which the rolling country af-
fords in this close-in fighting. When
the British closed in upon the trenches
at Poodle woods, the German sections,
already having surrendered, came out
holding up their hands Thus a body
of more than 5000 men after being
hammered necessarily with shell fire
fer four days dramatically surrendered
before the eyes of the correspondents.
German Guns Withdrawn.
The British gunfire, so far as could
be seen, was much heavier than the
German, while, according to all re-
ports from the front line, the Germans
have withdrawn all their guns from
the valley which is now controlled by
the British to positions on the bridge.
Both Mametz and Fricourt are Writ
ually levelled. The earth and build
ings were kneaded by shellfire thrown
into the communication trenches run
ming through these villages. Where
the preliminary bOmbardment was
most severe, German positions in dug
outs thirty feet deep did not save their
defenders from the big shells.
Trenches became formless heaps of
earth Bits of the green German uni
forms, flesh and guns were mixed
with rags and sand bags in uncanny
horror.
Dog Mascot Killed in Charge.
British soldiers were gathering the
German dead and burying them and
their own in communication trenches. |
At once spot where the British suf-
fered in charging a machine gun posi-
ton the battalion mascot, a black and |
tan mongrel dog, lay dead beside his
human companions, all of whom had |
fallen with their faces toward the Ger |
man trenches.
Officers on the front line agreed
that the necessary army battalion con-
Quoted themselves with the same gall |
lantry as the regulars. Everybody |
there on the newly won ground close to
the enemy will be expecting at any mo-
ment. the Germans to make another
attack. 5b
French Capture German Guns.
|. Paris, July 4.-Neither the French
nor the Germans made any infantry
attacks along the French front north
and south of the Somme last night, |
the war office announced this after
noon.
North and south of the Somme the
night was calm" it was officially stat
ed. There were no infantry attacks. |
1T has been established that the
booty captured by the French in re-
cent fighting is Of the greatest impor-
lance, including three new German
batteries.
RepuIse Germans at Verdun.
ION the Verdun front six German
attacks were repulsed."
OF the three German batteries cap
tured by the French, two are of heavy |
caIber. The war office commented |
today upon the precision of the French |
artillery fire in the offensive move
I'm u single shelter forty cadavers
were found,' it was stated. I'm a ra-
vino north of Assevi1leres and on the
Herbecourt slopes the German losses
were frightful''
North of Frise, another German
captive balloon was fired and de-
stI Dyed by French flyers last night.
Desperate Attack Fails.
Between the Avert and the Aisne
French "Reminiscences penetrated
first line German trenches and COM
municating trenches said the state
ment. Some prisoners were taken. |
On the Verdun front a German at
tack on the west bank of the Mouse on
the southern slopes of Dead Mans Hill
was checked by French fires. East of
the Mouse. most violent struggle
ragged all night in the region northwest
of Thiaumont. Six German attacks, one
with liquid fire, failed. The Germans
were slaughtered by our screen and
rife fires, suffering the heaviest
losses. They did not succeed in max
ing the French move an inch from
their previous positions. In the
Fumin Wood the French made pro-
gress during the night, throwing the
enemy from 6. trench"