The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-08-01
ALL AIMS SAID TO.
HAVE BEEN SECURED
in GRE Eat DRIVE
By Associated Press

bs -ASHOSAUttu ACS~
British Front in France
and Belgium, July 31.-An
epoch-making offensive,
launched by the British and
French against the German
lines between the River Lys
and Boesinghe at daybreak,
has, with few exceptions, ac-
complished all that had been
planned for the first day of
this battle, which, in its
early stages, gives promise
of being the greatest conflict
of the war.
Roughly speaking, the British pene-
trated positions held by Crown Prince
Rupprecht of Bavaria, between
Boesinghe and Warneton, and at the
time Of the filing of this dispatch
were in possession of the first three
lines of the German trenches at most
points throughout this front.
Reports received from the French
troops which are attacking over the diff
ficult territory between Dixmude and a
point near Boesinghe. say that they have
forced their way across this marsh
CT, laJ 80
captured the first two lines of German
trenches.
The casualties of the entente allies have
been surprisingly light and the morale
of the men continues at the highest pitch.
The contact between the British and
French armies has been constant and ex-
cellent.
COUNTER ATTACKS
Late today it was reported that the
Germans had begun a heavy counter at
tack at the point where the entente
allied forces join.
The German front line trenches, which
had been torn to pieces by the prelim-
mary bombardment, offered little re-
sistance, but once the allied forces had
penetrated beyond them they met with
fierce resistance at many points. Direct
ly east of Heillbeke and again little
to the north the British were temporary
held up by heavy machine gun fire.
but only temporary. for the troops
charged through the rain or lead and
forced the Germans from their positions
in handto-hand fighting
Again at redoubt which was strongly
held in the German line and defended
by concrete Notifications, the British
were brought to stand by machine gun
fire. But they charged with bayonets and
dislodged the Germans.
SPECTACULAR EVENT
One Of the most striking and spec
tacular events of the days fighting oc-
Cured at the so-called Menin tunnel.
great underground fertilization construct
ed by the Germans on the Menin road
opposite Hooge. The British preliminary
bombardment had forced the Germans
to hold the French line thinly here and
the British division which was to attack
at dawn lay out all night in shell holes
within % yards of the German line, wait
ing for the signal to advance. When the
time arrived for the charge and the
British gunners had dropped a protecting
barrage on the German front trench
ahead of the British troops. it was seen
that the Germans had taken to their heels
and were fleeing. The British. seeing
their prey escaping went mad and
charged directly through their own bar
rage. fortunately without heavy casual
ties The Menin tunnel, which was ex-
pected to be occupied by several hundred
Germans. was found to be held by only
a. the rest having reiterated.
ON SECOND LINE
1t was only al the second line thai
the British met resistance and here after
sharp hand-to- hand fighting. they forced
the Germans again to withdraw.
No check has yet been made on the
number of German prisoners captured, but
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