Norwich bulletin., 1916-07-17
BRITISH ADVANCE
BY OPEN FIGHTING
Germans Ordered to Stand to Last
Man and 5ayonets Are Used.

Man and 6ayonetS Are used.
British Front in France, July Is, 10
p. m, via London, July 16.-Contin-
uing their offensive, the British who
yesterday broke through the German
second line of defence now have taken
all Of DelvilIe Wood, which was storm
ed by the South Africans, and the
High wood establishments themselves
beyond Bazentin -le-Petit, advanced
parties having been to the outskirts
Of MaTtiQpuich, POnzieres and some
other points close to the third Ger
mains dry and warm.
Machine Guns on Favorable Ground.
The operations after yesterdays ad-
open fighting, the Germans using
strong points on favorable ground
which were good machine positions to
gain time in rallying reinfOrCements,
digging new trenches, while the Brit
ish dig in opposite them with each
stage of the advance. Frequently they
are so near each other that neither
side dares use its guns. Every pOssi-
bic prOtC CtiOn is seized and stOutly
held by both sides.
Hand to Hand in Wood Fights.
Possession of stretches of woodland
becomes as important as that of viii
lagos. The German defenders Of
TrOneS Wood had orders to stand to
the last man and the orders virtually
We're obeyed. Cases have been nu-
merOus in the woods fighting where
BritOn and German have been pierced
!, by each Other'es bayonet. 1t is amaz-
ing that in the thick Of the struggle
at all points stretcher bearers man
age to bring out the wounded.
Fresh German Artillery.
The Germans are keeping up
6pa yrO111111a of F-1
swer to the British indicatin the ar
rival of fresh artillery. British guns
! were able today to reach the main
road of Martin Puich which was
crowded with transports, aeroplanes
reporting immense destruction and
British AeroPianes Fly Low.
Everyone coming from the front re-
marks upon the paucity of German
aeroplanes and anti-airCraft guns de-
/ spite The reinfOTCementS in other arms.
| British airmen in many instances have
descended as low as 200 or 500 feet,
| firing upon German infantry with their
! machine guns and receiving the cheers
of British infantry. Such low flights
| have resulted in remarkably intimate
scouting
Action Beyond Second Line.
The scene of action has been carried
for the first time beyond the second
mann l4llt VI GERMAN uElenCeS since
stationary warfare began on the west
ern front. officers returning from the
front line speak of seeing abandoned
German guns, but say they are too
! busy fighting to bother to bring them
in.
Grinding Conflict at Close Quarters
The most dramatic situation in the
bottle comes when German gunners
strive to draw off their guns with
! british infantry within rife range In
the grinding conflict which is cour-
| ageously forced to close quarters nei-
ther the ground taken nor the number
Of prisoners is expressive of the re-
suits or the stake for which both
| sides are fighting.
Advance Greater Than Expected.
British commanders mereIy. saw that
! they have advanced farther than they
expected and repeat the proceeding
through various stages in the long
and immense undertaking.
Own Gunfire Destroys German BattaI-
ion.
Among the documents captured is
the complaint Of a division comman-
| der of the destruction of a German
| battalion by their own gunfire. One
| prisoner taken complained that the
| only persons in Germany who really
| had enough to eat were the British
| prisoners, thanks to parcels sent them
| from home and American interest in
their welfare. Generally they com
| plain more of the British artillery fire
! than of the food shortage. They think
| that Germany is in no danger of
starving and that the war will be de-
cided by fighting like that of the last
two weeks where every gun, rife, man,
| trench or gully or tree which gives
| cover will count.
1t is difficult for anyone not at the
front to realize the change in the new
army wrought by these two weeks,
! thanks to the first continued offensive
which is giving the troops practical
| lessons day by day.