The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-21
FIGHTING
CONTINUES ON WEST
British and French Claim German
Counter Attacks Are
Unsuccessful.

London, Aug. 20.-Both on the
tSomme and before Verdun fighting of
the most desperate character CON-
tinued today, marking the fourth day
of the renewed grapple in the former
theater and the second day Of terrific
clashes in the new Mouse action.
In both regions the day, for the
most part. was marked by heavy Ger
man counter-attacks. According to
late reports from the British and
French war offices these were uni
| formly unsuccessful. A slight luh dur
ing the late hours of yesterday and
through last night in Picardy was
broken today by a series of terrific
attacks on the new British front west
of the Delville wood. The Germans
swept forward in their first assault
just about the noon hour, and sue
ceeded in breaking into the newly
consolidated British trenches. They
were Immediately taken under n
heavy fire and beset by infantry at
tacks with the result that they were
driven from the positions. Other at
tacks which followed failed.
Meanwhile, to the south, the Brit
ISH anu FIGHtltt III az
tons. scored local successes on short
fronts. The English pushed forward
for some distance north of Bazentin-
le-Petit, further increasing the men,
ace TO Martinpuich, which Is now I'M
der the concentrated fire of their
guns.
General Foch's French troops also
were busy. Quickly recuperating in
the short respite granted them fol-
lowing their stupendous efforts of the
previous two days, they resumed this
afternoon their campaign to isolate
Guillemont. Their success was marked
by the capture of strongly fortified
wood between that village and Maure-
pas. together with a great quantity
of war material which it contained
The German artillery fire Is increas-
Ing in intensity all along the front
between the Anore and the Somme
and the British positions. especially
are under almost continuous bonn
bardment. From all indications the
Germans have greatly strengthened
this arm of new batteries and are
replying in almost even ratio to the
British.
A war ONCE statement from Ber-
lin today brings out the fact that
the great effort Of the French and
British on Friday WAS launched with
fully 100000 men. more than 10000
men to each mile OF the front OF at
tack---a soldier to every yard.
The statement covering the com
parative lull of yesterday afternoon
and last night had little to report on
only of the repulse of isolated British
attacks.
At Verdun the battle reached a high
pitch of fury during the night. with
both armies alternately launching
great attacks on the shell-swept Thiau-
mont Fleury front.
Berlin admits that the French 'pene-
trated' Fleury. The French war ONCE
had already reported the capture OF
the town and today announces the re-
pulse OF terrific attacks directed
against II by the German crown prince.
Neither side gained on the rest Of this
front. although thousands of men met
in continual hand-to-hand clashes
throughout the hours OF darkness.
The night report from British head
quarters In France says:
About noon today the enemy de-
livered a strong attack on the new line
we have established for about mile
from the western corner Of High wood.
He succeeded in reaching the line at
certain points, but WAS driven out by
our infantry, who Immediately reoc-
cupied the trench. Subsequently hos
tile attacks were broken by our ar
tillery nre. North Of Baxentin lie Petit
We today gained further portion of
the fenemy's trenches The enemy
heavily she1led different portions Of
our front. especially the High wood.
Hamsl and Mailly
elsewhere there Is nothing impor-
tant to report.
I'm spite of low clouds. our aero
plane craft did very useful work yes
terday. communicating with our ad-
vancsd infantry. Our aeroplanes. COM
ing down TO low height, opened ma
chine-gun hre very effectively on the
ensmy's infantry In the front line
trenches and also on hostile reinforce
inshts coming UP ir cnmmuaaeation
trenches