HUN WAR MACHINE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2897, 9 October 1916, Page 7

HUN WAR MACHINE

DECLARED AN UTTER FAILURE BRITISH SUPERIORITY ADMITTED BY THE ENEMY Aufltrali3*i-New Zealand Cable Association. _ . London, October 6. Sir. Phihp Gibbs states, that a report by General: von Arnim, commanding ™ e 4th German Army Corps against the British front on tho Somme in July, has fallen into our hands. It analyses with impartial candour our qualities, and the weaknesses and failures of hie own organisation and leadership. General von Arnim confesses the utter failure of his war machine, and acknowledges the British superiority, the ever-increasing- strain -upon the German organisation, the eftect of out artillery, and the mastery of the Hying Corps. The demoralisation of the enemy's command is admitted'- as the bitter fruit of experience. Von Arnim says that the British in!fantry learnt much in the autumn offensive of 1915, and shows great dash in attack, to which their great confidence in their overwhelming artillery contributes. The Euglish showed great tenacity. in defence, while tho registration and fire control of the artillery wore assisted by well-organised aerial observation. . The report recounts how long-range guns brought the German Battlo Headquarters under fire, causing the officers to be panic-stricken. The Germa.ii artillery was much hampered by tho steady intensity of the British fire, which also rendered it enormously difficult to bring up reserves. The report confesses tho utter failure of the German counter-attacks, which wero without method or weight. "The numerical superiority of tie . enemy's airmen and the fact that their machines wore better were disagreeably apparent. They were able to fire successfully on our troop 6 at a low elevation." Von Arnim admits that tho German equipment and ammunition reserves were very faulty. The German machine guns are too heavy, and the supply of grenades was insufficient.

Von Araim does not suggest that tho food supply of the army is insufficient, but it is difficult -to get food to tie front trenches. In all other departments the German organisation was found wanting. The war machine was thrown out of gear by the ferocity and continuance of the British assault.