New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-21
Trenches Taken and
Big Quantity of War
Munitions.
BRITISH LINES
MENACE THIEPVAL
Germans Fail to Attack
After Loss of Leipsic
Redoubt.
lBy Cao,e TIE Tribunel

LBy Cso's 20 TIE Tribunsl
London. Aug. 20.-British and
French on the Somme front fol-
l,wed Up their victories Of Friday
with new attacks to-day, which won
for the French a strongly fortified
woods between Guillemont and Mau-
repas and for the British section
Of trenches north of Bazentin-le-
Petit General FOch's men captured
large quantity of war material.
The news that General Haig's Fri
,ay attacks had cleared out the IA
nous Leipsic redoubt, which came in
rnoficial dispatches, has caused the
greatest rejoicing here, and military
opinion now holds that these gains
we're the most important since the
frst stroke of the offensive. The re
doubt has been a thorn in the Brit
81 flank since the first day. 1t
threw back the storming psrti,s
with heavy losses then and had re-
sisted all efforts since.
Thiepval Fall Near.
The advancing troops had worked
around it as a pivot, till it had be-
come a sharp and narrow salient.
Now that it has been cleared, the
Rritish lines lie inst below Thiep-
val The advances made on the
Nonacu farm have also tightened
the coils around Thiepval, and will
aid enormously IL the isolation and
reduction of this fort, which is the
main German stronghold left in this
locality. From the newly won
trenches the British artillery will
speedily dominate the town.
Similarly the British entry into the
outskirts Of Guillemont means deadly
menace to Combles.
German Morale Weakens.
II is evident that the recent British
and French intensive efforts have
weakened the German morale, and
made possible these great gains, which
are eating the heart out Of the German
third line. The most significant point
IN General Haig's messages to-day IS
that the Germans have apparently fost
their power Of effective counter attack.
Itty made but one effort 10 reclaim
he trenches near the High Wood, and
this only hours after they lost them.
Around the Leipsic redoubt nothing
las been attempted.
The principle of the counter at
isek is one Of the FIRST taught in the
German military text books. Though
earlier in the Somme offensive they
we're ready 10 throw in whole army
corps for the recapture Of some local
position. now they seem unable TO
scratch up a brigade within the space
o. twenty-four hours.
In the present circumstances this is
me more noteworthy because the
ground the British have just gained
slong the watershed from Pozieres TO-
ward Peronne is extremely valuable.
i ncloses a space where large
striking force could be gathered with
out observation by the British.
TeutOn Aeros Scarce.
The added fact that German aero
planes now scarce dare show them
selves completes the German scquies-
ssnce in the British gains, and is per-
maps me first striking proof o the de-
gay OF their strength. Apparently they
hsd specially concentrated troops for
s'laeks at Verdun last night, and the
hssvy repulse the French inflicted on
mem gave new proof that the latter
nolo the upper hand In fact, they
s.em now able TO dictate where and
wv the battle shall be joined.
40 better criterion Of the relative
vneiuon Of the French and German
Imies has yet appeared than the fact
way way tne French can attack with fury
tT atT SIX months warfare at Verdun,
81 hHt OtfNdUS are COWpltItls
MiC"n on the defensive after seven
,Is seeS OF the Franco British effort on
ne Somme.
Series Of Charges.
ne single counter attack which was
~ tHqe H. against the British trench west
nigh Wood to-day was exceedingly
.'suy tc the Germans. Their first rush
pn'ned them into some parts of tho
,S'sh trench, but they were quickly
~soWn out again.
:. OK rS vicious charges we're launched
v;.teury' near Verdun, last night, but
knou, success, and with exceedingly !
osavy losses.
an attack near the Thiaumont work |
@st the same fate.
s.as details Of the Leipsic redoubt |
sss ssaung arrive, the army men here see
.eor,use Vause Tor eongratulation in the |
s,,sps fatively small British losses. The |
onIs '. was made, it is understood. by |
and .wo oattslions, about 500 man,
'esuited IN the capture of nearly |
continued on page 3. column Z