New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-19
French Win Maurepas,
British Move on
Combles.
FIEURY FALLS
TO PETAIN
Redoubts on the Meuse
Also Seized by
POiluS.
BY Cable to The Tribunal

Rv
London, Aug. 1S.-The German
,ounter-blow north of the Somme has
been broken and the Allies have re-
snmed their steady push. The French
took by storm to-day large portion
of Maurepas village and drove for
ward their line to the south, while
the British advanced nearer Martin
mulch and Combles.
Meanwhile Petain struck heavily
north Of Verdun, won part of the VII
lace of Fleury and then, widening
his thrust. carried two fortified re-
doubts northwest of the Thiaumont
work on the right bank of the Meuse'
Near Vaux, further east, the Ger
mans we're also forced back.
The Germans are now using their
troops sparingly and putting more
reliance in their field guns, which
have been assembled in great num-
hers on the Picardy front. This suS-
gests either that the Kaiser's COM
manders are now confronted with a
sbortaoe of men or that they have
decided on a change of tactics. APP
parently the Germans have decided
TO give the Allies their turn IN the
wearing-out process which proved 50
disastrous to the Teutons at Verdun.
Allies Resume Offensive.
In the counter attacks last night
which followed the Allied gains
Wednesday the British were subject
ed to heavy infantry charges as well
as artillery fire. But these assaults
soon ceased and the Allies passed
once more to the offensive.
Operations on a bigger scale VIII
soon follow the smaller actions to-day.
The Germans may contend that the Al
lied drive has lost its momentum and
that in trench warfare surprises are
made impossible. But the fact remains
that the Kaiser's generals are com
pelled TO hold large forces in reserve
on the Western front TO meet the con-
slant threat Of a greater Allied attack.
The battle continues along the whole
front, from Pozieres to the Somme,
with the Allied forces attacking every
where. Only two days have passed
since Foch and Haig, in a joint as
sault, carried positions along three
mile front. Il is highly significant that
the advance has been resumed after so
short an interval, indicating the short
age of German reserves and the thor
oughness with which the Allies have
carried out the operations preliminary
TO the assault.
Combles Exposed on North.
Combles is seriously threatened by
the new Allied advances to-day. The
British carried strong enemy positions
on the Pozieres line, bringing 1t close
10 Martinpuich, and pushed toward
Ginchy and GuillemOnt, lying at the
angle OF the British line. The fall OF
Guillemont will open the way to flank
CombleS from the north.
ward east of the Maurepas-Cl road.
This brings them almost directly south
Of Combles and creates a new salient
in that sector from which the German
positions can be assailed very effect
lively Their advance, moreover,
straightens their frdht north of Pc.
rome. Besides winning a strong hold
in Maurepas itself. Foch's troops car
ried Calvary Hill, to the southeast.
French Win Fleury.
In the Verdun battle the French have
gained the upper hand once more. with
the exception of a small part, the whole
village Of Fleury, which has been lost
and rewon many times, is now in their
hands. This was won in fierce as
sault last night.
Continuing the attack to-day, the
French extended their thrust both east
ward and westward and gained in both
directions. The quickness with which
these positions were seized tends again
70 prove that the Germans are unable
70 garrison sufficiently both the Somme
and the Verdun fronts. Intent on
counter attacking last night and to-day
on the Maurepas line, they weakenef
the Verdun front.