The English-French Offensive Continues, July 4, 1916

The English-French Offensive Continues

Latest Official War Report - WTB. Central Headquarters July 3, Official

Western Theater of War

The continuing English-French attacks on both sides of the Somme have, in general, not yielded any advantages to the north of the river. The enemy has suffered extremely high and bloody losses here. To the south of the river, we moved the division that was withdrawn to the fortified position yesterday back to a second trench during the night.

Combat activity remains the same at the parts of the army front that have not been attacked.

To the west of the Maas, the French attempts to seize back the parts of the trenches captured at Hill 304 led to minor infantry battles.

To the east of the Maas, the enemy exhausted themselves in unsuccessful attacks on Fort Thiaumont and the Hill "Kalte Erd." [sic: Kalte Erde]. In one such attack, they temporarily penetrated our foremost trenches, around 600 meters south-west of the Fort, but were driven out immediately. To the south-east of Fort Vaux, the "High battery of Damloup" has been in our hands since last night. 100 prisoners and several machine guns were captured there.

Officers in the Field

French divisions advancing towards the German positions in Priesterwalde north-west of Pont-à-Mousson were repelled effortlessly. In the numerous air battles yesterday, 6 enemy planes were shot down, 4 of them in our lines. Leutnant Mulzer put his 7th and Leutnant Paschau his 6th opponent out of action. One enemy bi-plane was shot down over Douai, another the day before yesterday east of Pervyse (Ypres Front) by defensive fire. 2 French captive balloons were shot down by our planes in the region of Verdun.