Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-02

ambulances began coming down the
roads and patches Of half -starved prfs-
oners we're being brought in. too daxed
to appreciate their escape after having
been marooned hve days in their dug
: outs. without food, by the British IRE
curtain; and into headquarters. from
out that inferno of confusion to the
eye, came reports making the whole
movement Ineligible.
The number of prisoners taken in
Z the raids preceding the offensive has
not been disclosed. but the correspond
euts have been permitted to say that
men were captured from every bat
TALON in the German line opposite the
British forces. The information thus
obtained shows that not a single Ger
man regiment has been removed from
this front. The number of Germans op-
posite the British front and in reserve
behind the lines was estimated month
ago at 100000.
Scene of the Fighting.
The sector of the German front on
which the British have assumed the
offensive forms considerable bulge
in the British line. The southern end
rests on the Somme. which is
formidable river in military operations
because it breaks into many channels
flowing through a broad march especf-
ally at places where it has not been
surveyed. 1t is broad rolling coun-
try over which the British are pushing,
although different from the fat marshy
and bleak aspect of Flanders Its
rounded chalk hills are densely
wooded.
At many points on this section of
the British front it is possible to see
the trenches of the Germans. winding
about the opposite slopes. A military
expert. writing of the offensive. says:
TT is safe to say the Germans never
expected a great attack in this coun-
try. We may hope. therefore, for
reduction of the German salient there.
and the securing of better strategic
positions Far more important than
that 1t is certain that this attack will
be very destructive to the morale of
the German troops. The official mes
sages say their army has attacked
But what must be borne in mind now
Is the much greater length of front
the British hold we attacked on
about one-quarter of the length OF our
front"
British Omcial Report.
The text of the latest British oficial
statement reads:
Heavy fighting continued all day be-
tween the rivers Somme and Ancre. and
north Of Ancre to Gommecourt inclusive.
The fight on the whole Of this front still
continues with intensity.
"On the right of our attack we have
captured German labyrinth of trenches
on a front of seven miles to a depth of
1000 yards and have stormed and occu-
pied the strongly fortified villages of
Montauban and Mametz.
In the center of our attack on front
Of four miles we have gained many strong
points. while at others the enemy is still
holding out and the struggle on this front
10 still severe.
North Of the Ancre valley to CONNIE
court. inclusive. the battle Is equally vio-
lent, and in this area We have been unable
to retain portions of the ground gained
In our first attacks. while other portions
remain in our possession.
up to the present more than two thou
sand German prisoners have passed
through our collecting stations. includ-
ing two regimental commanders and the
whole OF one regimental staff.
The large number Of enemy dead on the |
battlefield indicates that the German cas-
ualties have been very severe, especially
in the vicinitf of Fricourt.
Prisoners Are Taken.
Last night parties of our troops |
penetrated the German trenches at !
various points on the front between |
Souchez and Ypres. in each case in
Aicting casualties on the garrisons be- |
fore Withdrawing. One raiding party
captured sixteen prisoners
Yesterday. in spite of a high wind. a