PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 52, 24 November 1917, Page 6

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

The observation credited to a high British officer that the Hun is still swinging in mid-air aptly sums up tho state of affairs on the Western front, disclosed at the moment of writing. Conditions of opon fighting remain in evidence, and it has yofc to be Eeen what the Germans are capable of doing in the way of re-establishing a defcusive lino. It is possible that tho British advance may be extended well beyond its present limits before stable equilibrium is reached, for the only enomy counter-attacks thus far re-, ported broke down ignominiously. In regard to the prospect of n further advance, or, failing that, of holding what has been gained, it is a factor of tho (utmost importance that the battlofiold across >vhich British troops—horso, foot, tanks, and guns—are advancing towards Cambrai has largely escaped tlie devastation which is tho common fate of battlefields in this war, so far at least as operations in the main theatres are concerned. • Instead of being condemned to laboriously construct communications and advanco artillery through a crater land reduced by bombardment and Weather to a chaos of mud, the attacking troops are moving forward over a comparatively normal and undisturbed countryside. The "smooth German-made road" up which the British cavalry swept in the direction of Cambrai will provide a eplendid avenue for tho guns and heavy transport which mean so much' to modern armies, and re--ports indicate that the condition'of this road' is representative of that of tho battle-area as a whole. It is an open question whether any material extension of the splendid advance already made is possible in the near future, bub the-state of tho countryside should mean at least that the attackers have excellent I prospects of rapidly organising and' consolidating the line to which.they have advanced. ■...,.•

' It is too soon to attempt to estimate the full effects of the brilliant British onslaught, but tho position disclosed at the moment is that a broad wedge which is still being widened has been thrust to within threo miles of Cambrai on the west and south-west. Attacks thus far described broke into tho • enemy front over a distance of fifteen or sixteen miles, but the deerjest penetration of the German defences occurred on a front of about twelvo miles, extending south-east from a point west of Cambrai to about eight miles south of _ that junction. It is from this line that the British have advanced to within three miles of Cambrai. Tho progress made on the northern section of tho attacking front, from Fon-tainc-lcz-OroisMcs to Bdlecourt, though less pronounced, is important. Both the vijlagcs named were already in British hands, but the enemy has organised in this wca a very formidable anglo of his reconstructed Hindenburg line. Between Riencourt and Queant (villages respectively north-east and south-east of Bullccourt) are, according, to an English authority, a series ot medieval catacombs which have been adapted for defensivo use. and connected by a tunnel for purposes of inter-communication. On this foundation elaborate field fortifications have been based. In. addition to the spectacular success won an the area south of the RiencourtQueant corner of the Hindenburg lino biR Douglas Haio mentioned yesterday, tho capture of "important sections of the Hindenburg line between Bulkconrt and Fontaine-lez-Crois-illcs." This is a definite step towards reducing ~ a particularly formidable section of' the German line, and materially widening the already wide salient which menaces Cambrai. * * * *.

The movement against Oumbrai obviously dovetails admirably into what has already been accomplished towards breaking up tho enemy s resistance on his present line. It directly threatens his main communications through Belgium. Lille is now very definitely menaced on the south as well as on the north, and the British stroke- also admirably seconds the forward movement made not long ago by the French on the approaches to Laon, the southern bastion of the Hindenburg line. Cambrai is a vital centre of communications. Its bombardment at comparatively close range will heavily accentuate the enemy's problems of defence, but if he is «nabl© to hold it Lille and adjacent positions will be enclosed in a dangerous salient, and the southern extension of the Hindenburg line will be at least as seriously imperilled.

The first definite sign of enemy recovery in the area of the British offensive appears in an announcement by Sir Douglas Haio that Fontaine Notre Dame has.iiech recovered in a counter-attack. This village stands on the BapaumcCambrai Road, less than, three miles from the latter town. Its recapture possibly means that the British advance has reached its limits for the time being. If so, there is do reason for surprise, and certainly none for disappointment. In its present scope the offensiyo has achieved a success which is in a number of respects without parallel in tho war, and Sir Douglas Haio rientions that witK tho exception of Fontaine. Notre Damo the whole of tho extensive area won has been consolidated, and also that the British strategic railways have been rapidly extended. There are some suggestive indications that the French are about to take up the running, possibly in the area between Craonne and the Aisnc, in which they reported a successful local attack jesterday ' It is an area in which they possess an important asset in positions .dominating .v wide, extent ot open country. The Germans evidently apprehend attack m _ this quarter, hut at.time of .-writing there is no confirmation of (he enemy report transmitted yesterday: "Strong French attacks commenced this afternoon',pn■ the front from Oraonnc to Bcrry-au-Bac. Much heavy fighting, is reported on the. Iklian.front, but at time of writing no Material change in the situation is disclosed. The German* ■r.laim the conquest of a number of heights between the Brcnta and the Piave in the mountainrcountry immediately north ol the plain through whidi the Piavo runs but I he-Italians report of this area that Ihcv onlv lost advanced positions ; at one point, and in general sanguinarily repulsed heavy- attacks., llicy tell 'the same- story of events on the Asiago PlafcaAi. The. situation _ is still' critical, but each day which passes with the Italians offering a sound and unbroken defefa-e 'improves the', outlook. ; Tlv» Italians are assured of; powerful aid.'. Tho enemy, presumably, is putting forth

his maximum effort, for if he fails to break the Italian line he will bo unable to settle down in the positions ho now holds. The open country will have extractions for him only while-he enjoys a superiority of force which bo cannot hope to maintain for any length of time. ■•" ''