Bonners Ferry herald., 1916-07-07

ish troops, thrown forward in a grand
offensive against the German lines
on both sides of the river Somme, 60
miles north of Paris. have penetrat-
ed at one point to depth of five
miles, like a gigantic wedge, taken
several villages, and captured a laby-
rinth of trenches, extending to
depth of 1000 yards on a front of
seven miles.
Advance on 25-Mile Front.
The drive, the most spectacular in
this region since the British captured
Loos last September. began after the
German trenches har been bathed in
hail of shells from guns of every
caliber for days. Progress has been
reported along the entire front of 25
miles. The British have taken 1000
prisoners, including two regimental
commanders and the whole of one
regimental staff
The greatest success gained by the
British was on the right. In the cen
ter they captured what are desig
mated in their official report as many
strong points along a front of four
miles. But north of the Anore val
ley to Gommecourt powerful counter
attacks by the Germans have result
ed in forcing the British back from
various sections of the ground gain
ed in their first onslaughts.
French Capture $500.
The town of Albert was the start
ing point of the fiercest thrust, the
British advancing from east of the
town to Montauban, more than five
miles away. Besides Montauban and
Serre the villages of Hubuterne, La
Boiselle and Mametz have been cap
tured. Two thousand German pris-
oners have passed through the Brit
ish collecting stations.
In cooperation with the British,
the French initiated strong of
fensive. South of the Somme they
captured four villages and north of
that river they established them
selves in the neighborhood of Har-
court and Curtu. The number of un-
wounded German prisoners taken by
the French had reached $500 up to
the time of the sending of the last
official report.
The recapture of the famous Thiau-
mont works by the French also has
been effected. This important STRAIT
egic point has changed hands several
times and around it probably thou
sands of men have fallen. On the
left bank of the Meuse the fighting is
most intense around hill 304, lie Mort
Homme and Avocourt.
Fought Through the Night.
London.-All through the night the
great British and French offensive
which began Saturday morning con-
tinued with intensity and there was
no diminution in the battle on Sun
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.
Thousands of Prisoners.
The fighting at the southern end of
the British line, where it is in con-
tact with the French, is of the fierc-
est nature, tremendous artillery ac-
tions preceding all the infantry at
tacks.
The French have taken about 5000
prisoners, according to the latest es-
Inmates, while the British, though
reporting the capture of $500, later
declared that the estimates were too
low Owing to the nature of the bat
tie it is not doubted that the cas-
ualties are very high.
No Letup at verdun.
Notwithstanding the terrific often
sive against them in the Somme river
region, the Germans have not ceased
in their efforts around Verdun. They
have bombarded several of the Yer
dun sectors and have launched in
fantry attacks against the French
trenches.
While Berlin declares that the
French attacks against the famous
Thiaumont work were repulsed by
curtains of fire, the French war of
flee announces that this tsrategic po-
sition has been recaptured.
In connection with the operations
now going on, aerial activity was
marked. Berlin reports that eight
British and three French machines
were brought down within the Ger
man lines and that four others also
were shot down. The British admit
that three of their machines are miss
ing.
French Troops Cooperating.
London.-The French troops coop
Grating with the British in the Som
me river region have Strengthened
their line by the capture of Barleux