PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 160, 26 March 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Colonel Repington observes in an article quoted to-day that the ground won by the Germans is a portion of what they voluntarily surrend6red in 1917, and that fifty German divisions have incurred- severe_ losses in retaking it. The battle has since advanced over another stage, but his observation still has point. Even now all but a comparatively small part of tho area into which tho enemy has advanced corresponds with that which he evacuated early last year in the hope of deranging tho Allied offensive plans. this time considerably more than fifty enemy divisions have incurred heavy losses in recovering ground which the Allies gained last year without having to fight for it. In crossing the Sommc, however, the enemy has entered territory which he defended obstinately • against the' Allied offensive in 1916. On portion of the front between Bapaumo and the Sommc, also, the, enemy has reached ground won by the Allies in heavy fighting in 1916, . though Bapaumo itself and the ridge on which it stands were included in the area evacuated last year.

Many reports to-day bear witness to tho colossal scale on which the enemy is developing his offensive. According to one message, ninetyseven German divisions have been identified against the British (presumably in the area of the offensive), and others are coming in. This as* the message states, is one-half of tho enemy forces on tho Western front. It is also not far short of one-half of the total German strength. But while this message and others bear witness to the magnitude of the enemy's effort, ample evidence is supplied that the advance is being magnificently contested, and tho later messages are distinctly optimistic in tone. Colonel Repington points out that it must take some time for the Allies to deploy their reserves and supporting artillery, but it is evident that tho enormous German concentration on the front of little more than fifty miles on which the battle is now proceeding in itself gives an opening for effective Allied action in other areas. So long as the enemy drive is checked and' controlled, even at a sacrifice of ground, which in other circumstances. \yould bo serious, these opportunities will bo widened.

Whether or not tho Germans have captured the 600 guns to which they lay. claim, it is evident that tho retiring armies freely sacrificed field guns as they retreated. The

sacrifice of these guns, however, made it possible to take very greatly increased toll of the enemy and lightened the British' casualty roll. Guns arc now in infinitely hotter supply than in the earlier stages of the war, and no doubt the deliberate sacrifice of a certain number in a fighting retreat is in every way warranted.