Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-08-07
Defeat Two German Count
ter-Attacks and Con-
tinue on
FACE FIERY LIQUID
Forced Back by First Assault, Gen.
eral Haig Reports Ground Re-
gained

Louuoli, rug d~AlIeI ue1eatihS
two strong German counter-attacks
in which fiery liquid and noXious gas
/es were used as screen for the at
tacking troops, the British resumed
yesterday their forward movement.
Striking east of Pozieres, along the
highroad to Bapaume, Australian and
Territorial troops advanced the Brit.
ish lines farther toward the heights
Of Martinpuich, the crest of the vast
plateau across which the battle is
being fought. They are now within
mile and half of this, their i'm
mediate objective. From Martinpuich
the British artillery would have con-
troll of the wide sweep to the east
ward which leads down to Bapaume.
Through the vast network of tren-
ches which crisscross this gently
rolling terrain the British fought
their way inch by inch. The Germans
have organized the ground until for
miles it is labyrinth Of bitches and
dugouts Fand progress is necessarily
slow.
Through earlier attacks north of
Bazentin-Le Petit and in the Foreaux
woods, behind the advanced trenches
of the German third line, the British
y
have succeeded in advancing their
front on a two-mle sector, 1nJil last
night the sharp angle at Foureaux
has been considered widened and is
now gradual curve which eliminates
the peril of attack from three sides
to which it previously had been ex-
posed.
The German counter-attacks in the
Pozieres sector were launched early
this morning? after a night of con-
tinuous bombardment which extended
along the: greater part of the front
between the Ancre and the Somme.
The first attack was largely sue
cessful, the flaming liquids ;fotciag
the British to evacuate considerable
portion of trenches. Then began the
slow and ,ardpous task of regaining
the lost ground. The English troops
were so successful in this. that Cen
eral Haig last night. notified the War
Office that all but, about 40 yards of
the position have been regained. The
second German attack proved COM
plete failure. The British artillery
was ready, and it's curtain of fire
broke up the advancing German ranks.
The afternoon statement told of
an additional Slight advance at High
Wood.
A further gain of ground by the
French in local operations northeast
of the Thiaumont work on the. Verdun
front w:. announced'by the; French
War Office yesterday AFTERNOON. A
German counter-attack in this sec
tor was repulsed.
Progress for the French south
west of Estrees,; on the Somme front
as result of small engagements, al
so was announced in Paris.
According ito an official annhunce-
ment, the number of prisoners takel
by the French in the week of July 80
August 5, for the most part in tn
Meuse region, exceeded $500.
Desperate engagements continue in
the Verdun region. notably i'm the vi.
cinity of the Thiau1hont work, says
yesterdays German army head
quarters statement. The Germans
claim to have made progress in Chap
tire Wood. =, 81; /:
On the Somme the battle near Poz
ieres is still in progress, Berlin adds
but says British local attacks nea
the river and at Foureaux Wood wer
renulSad ~