New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-16
CombleS POcketed,
1900 Prisoners
Taken.
FRENCH GAIN
SOUTH OF RIVER
New Thrust Now Clears
the Way for Peronne
Drive.
lBy Gable 10 rhs Tribune

London, Sept. 15.-The British to-
day struck their heaviest blow in the
Somme offensive. The attack began
OF dawn and before it was completed
Haig's line had been pushed forward
along a six-mile front, penetrating
in some places to two miles.
Through the third German linz the
British rush carried The villages
of Flers, Martinpuich and Cource-
lette were carried by storm, on the
front from Pozieres to Ginchy, cld
the greater part of Bouleaux and
High Woods, lying between.
More than 1900 prisoners already
have been taken, and, according to
late dispatches from the front, the
assault is still in progress. The Ge~-
mans are making furious efforts 10
stem the British tide, but noIe of
these counter thrusts has succeeded.
Combles Pocketed.
Combles is pocketed. The British
stroke to-day carried all the high
ground between that stronghold and
the Albert-Bapaume road, thJs
bringing Haig's line up TO Foch's.
Meanwhile the French continued the
incessant battering and won 500
metres of trench north Of lie Priez
farm. thus cutting off Combles from
the east.
The British advance was accom-
panied by an inferno Of artillery fire.
Tic shells poured out north of tns
Somme to-day marks another record
in expenditure of ammunition.
Numerous air battles were fought,
too. in the course OF the charge. The
British fiers brought down thirteen
of the enemy's planes.
With the breaking OF day the st-
tack was launched on the front from
Bouleaux wood, 10 the north OF the
Ranaume-Albert road. This marks the
entire line Of the British offensive IN 4
the last ten weeks.
Attack Thiepval Ridge.
The first effort was made against
the ridge from Thiepvsl to GIneny'
The thoroughness with which the ar
tillery fire had been carried out MADE
the task easier, but fierce resistance
had 10 be overcome.
With the dash and precision thai
has characterized the French opera
tions south Of the river, the British
troops rushed at these heights ana
succeeded in winning the whole ridge.
Then the work became simpler.
The incessant British fire did not
leave the enemy an opportunity to
build elaborate defences and dug
outs. Prince Rupprecht's troops were
forced to rely chiefly on their artil-
lerv But Haig's men had gained
dominating positions on top OF the
ridge. and their guns soon were
brought up for a new assault.
Down the hill they advanced against
the third German line, which had barely
been completed. Through this they
crashed and, pushing beyond, took the
villages of Flers, Msrtinpuich and
Courcelette.
High Wood Carried.
High Wood and Devils Wood we're
now we'll behind the British line. These
had been converted into Vertseie
fortresses, with mszes Of trenches and
durouts. Haig's troops did not cease
the attack. but with another heree
rush carried these shsmbles.
This advance was wen in the face
OF an immense number OF new Ger
man forces. An entire corps hsd oeen
brought down from the northern part
Of the lire to the Somme, TO check the
Allied aow. The Ksiser's general, have
concentrated on the British front
about a sixth moro troops than they
have massed before the French, despite
the advantage OF better natural de-
ferces north Of the Sommo.
But none Of these measures sue
ceeded. By winning dominating posi-
tions on the northern line between
/ Thiepval and Ginchy, the British have
cleared the way for another thrust
toward the Bapaumc plateau. By the
drive sA,tHsrd- which reached the ma