PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 October 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Detailed reports now available emphasise the splendid success won by tho British in tho latest battlo in Flanders. Tho Germans are doing their best to obscurc the facts, but it is quite clear that they have suffered one of the most tcrriblo defeats of tho war, and prospects must bo measured accordingly. Official and other messages published at the end of last week established the fact that the enemy had suffered colossal losses in killed and wounded, and it is now added that ho lost close on 4500 prisoners. These losses, with the fact that the ground captured by the British may fairly bo described as the keystone of the enemy's defences on tho Flanders front, and that the Germans have entirely failed. to retrieve tho situation at any point, constitute the salient features of what is described as probably the most important victory of tho war.

Thk British line in the region around Ypres now forms a salient, extending forward to tho Passchetidaelo Ridge and other high ground further south. On tho northern side of the salient the lino sweeps back from the Passehendaele Ridge to the Yser Canal, passing north of Langemarek and Bixsehoote, and facing the extensive forest of Houthulst. On the south it turns back from the near neighbourhood of Gheluvelt towards the Yprcs-Com-ines Qanal, east of HoUcbcke. A salient has some disadvantages, but as matters stand in Flanders these arc quite overshadowed by the extent to which tho enemy's defences havo'been invaded. A considerable part of the Passehendaele- Ridge remains in German hands, but the section captured in the attack includes the highest ground and dominates tho remaining area. In their newly-won positions the British not only overlook _tlic low country to the east, but immediately threaten the enemy's positions to the north. The broad position is that the defensive line upon which the Germans relied has been broken where

it was strongest. Immediately south of tho present battlo area they hold some high ground (south-east of Ypres), but still further south their positions in the angle between the l'pres-Comines Canal and tha Kiver Lys are dominated from the Mcssines-Wytschacto. Ridge. There is uo doubt that <u continuation of the offensivo as it has developed during the past fortnight will break their resistance in Flan dors and compel them to retreat in the best order possible. It remains an open question, however, whether 'there will bo time to carry matters to this stage before winter imposes a chcck on operations.

A iiEiMARKABiu example of the superiority of British 'airmen over their adversaries is given in tho account of an attack made by a squadr ron commander upon ten Gotha machines on tho occasion of one of tho recent raids on London. Apparently the squadron commander was unaccompanied, yet ho destroyed one enemy machine, damaged another, and only desisted from tho attack when his ammunition ran out. To realise tho merit of his performance it must bo borno in mind that tho Gothas arc largo and powerful biplanes, each armed with three machine-guns. They are so designed also as to be ablo to bring a particularly effective firo to bear on pursuing machines. Describing this feiiture, the Aeroplane stated recently that in all ordinary aeroplanes there is what is commonly known as a "blind spot" under the tail, which, beinig interpreted, means that if an attacking pilot can get just behind and below the tailplano the after-gunner on the pursued machine cannot firo at him because of the danger of blowing his own tail to pieces, or cutting a rudder or elevator control. The Gotha designer has overcome this difficulty by making tho fuselage in the form of a bottomless tunnel, so that tho after-gunner has a clear line of fire into the pursuing machine. An aeroplane attacking a squadron of Gothas becomes a mark for several guns at once, not only from its target, but from neighbouring machines as well. Tho squadron commander whoso successful attack is reported to-day has no ordinary achievement to his credit.