Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-03
.FR|COURT FALLS
BEFORE ATTACK
OF HA|G'S ARMY
Both British and French
War Offices Report
Steady Advance.
GUN ACTIONS PRECEDE
ALL INFANTRY ATTACKS
Germans Deliver Number of Vio-
lent Counterattacks, but Re-
treat in Disorder.
VILLAGE OF CURLU CAPTURED
Strategic Position OF Thiaumout
Works Recaptured by French
and Is Held by Them.
GUN ACTIONS PRECEDE
ALL INFANTRY ATTACKS
VILLAGE OF CURLU CAPTURED

All through the night tho great Brit.
ish and French offensive which h.-
gan on Saturday morning in the Somms
and Ancrc sectors continued with in
tensity, and there was no diminution
IN the battle on Sunday. Both Brit
tsh and French War Offices report a
steady advance at certain points, but
speak also of the formidable German
resistance.
Fricourt, an important town three
miles east of Albert, has fallen to the
British arms. while the French have
taken Curlu. which lies to the south
east The fighting at the southern end
Of the British line. where it is In con-
tact with the French, is of the fercest
nature. tremendous artillery actions
preceding all the infantry attacks.
The French have taken 5000 pris-
oners, according to the latest estimates,
while the British though reporting the
capture OF $500, later declared that
the estimates were too low. Owing to
the nature of the battle 1t is not doubt
ed that the casualties are very high.
Notwithstanding the terrific often
region, the Germans have not ceased
In thes efforts around Verdun. They
have bombarued several Of the Verdun
sectors, and have launched infantry at
tacks against tho French trenches.
Willis Berlin declares that the French
attacks against the famous Thiaumont
work were rcpulsed by curtains Of fire,
the French War Office announces that
this strategic position has been recap
tured by the French forces. and Is held
by them.
GERMANS ADMIT ADVANCE
MADE BY ENEMY FORCES
Referring to the Anglo-French drive.
the German official statement says that
at several points OF the frst-line
trenches along the Somme, the enemy
forces gained successes and were able
to advance. German division In this
sector had to be withdrawn, and ma
terial in the first line, which was i'm
movable and which had been rendered
useless, was lost
In connection with the operations
now going on, aerial activity was
marked. There have been many air
fights. and Berlin reports that eight
British and three French machines
were brought down within the German
lines, and that four others also were
shot down. The British admit that
three of their machines are missing.
Additional successes are recorded by
Petrograd, the official communication
announcing that Austrian positions
west Of Kolomea. In Gallcia. have been
taken by storm after Intense fighting,
with the capture of 1000 prisoners.
The Austro German forces In volhyn!a
are making desperate counterattacks.
while in other sections OF the Russian
front there are constant artillery and
infantry engagements. in which neither
side seems TO have made any notable
gains
The Italians arc pushing their strong
offensive in the Trentino. and, indeed.
along almost the entire Austro-r Italian
front, the Italians are forcing tho
fighting.