New-York tribune., 1916-07-05
DRIVE RELIEVES
TEUTON STRAIN
Unbearable Strain Lifted
as Big Guns Cease and
Allies Advance.


Entente offensive came as a relief 70
the German troops. strained under
furious and unceasing bombardmcnts,
according 20 summary Of the drive
from the correspondent Of the "Loka
Anzeiger" at German Headquarters in
France. who says:
"For seven days and seven nights
guns of all calibres, from field guns
to lony ship guns. have increasingly
hammered the German positions,
camps and shelters behind constantly
renewed waves Of poison gas. The
gas drifted over mingled with shells
which as they burst threw out cor
rosive. benumbing fumes.
The country between Ypres and
Royc was one vast nell Of fire during
the long period Of preparations. which
was double the length OF that which
preceded the battle in Champagne last
autumn. The only pauses came when
sallies were made to determine wheth-
er an onslaught was possible. The
Germans first line trenches in man.
places we're completely under a hail
Of missiles against which the best
pioneer work was helpless.
Drive Relieves Strain.
1T came as a relief to the German
troops from an almost unbearable
strain when the bombardment yester-
day ceased and strong columns ad-
vanced. These did not attack the whole
front. but broad sections on either
side of the Somme and Ancre rivers,
from the British northern sector TO La
Boiseile. Along the second sector from
La Boiselle to the Somme the first
line trenches were so demolished that
they offered no support for their hard
pressed occupants and retirement was
decided upon and executed. The RUNS
of Fricourt. Memetz and Curlu. which
Law in line with the front trenches, had
10 be abandoned to the enemy, who
found here relatively his greater sue
rent and counter attacks
The sector south of the Somme
reaches TO Lihons. just south of the
Roman road from Amens TO ST. Quen-
tin. The material left behind in the
abandonment OF the front trenches was
DESTROYED before retirement Inc
struggle continues along the whole
front with enormous violence, and the
utmost use Of artillery both IN rec '-
rent and coulter aattacks.
The first days success may De ra-
carded as comparatively small
Other Berlin correspondents POM
out that the offensive, as IN tn
autumn. again was launched from the
junction point Of the Anglo-trench
armies. which has moved southwark
since autumn and now Is between
Gommecourt and the old Roman roal
from Amiens TO st. Quentin. The cor
respondent of "The Post telegraphs;
Front Trenches Battered.
The German line south OF the
Somme had 10 retire somewhat after
the front trenches were so damaged
under a weeks bombardment that they
were untenable. Included IN the
enemv's gains are the destroyed vii
lagos of Fricourt, Mcmetz, Boiselic,
Herbecourt and Asseyillers. The
enemys attack at all other points was
halted before it reached the German
intermediate positions Hot fighting IS
in progress along the entire front
The German authorities fatty deny
French claims OF the recapture OF
Thiaumount redoubt which they declare
is firmly in the possession Of the Ger
mans.
They summarize the drive as follows:
Admit French Gains.
80 noteworthy successes have been
scored on the British front. The only
considerable results have been attained
by the French, whose offensive, as
usual. was marked by great bravery
and dash. Retirement 10 the second
German lines occurred where the
French were the opponents.
In coincidence with the Anglo-French
offensive, the Russians have developed
activity along the whole northern
front. Their activity against the
northern German armies for the time
being appears merely demonstratiye;
bu. vigorous fighting is in progress
against the front of General Woyrsch' 5
southern army, where at least eight
divisions are engaged The battle here
is still stationary.