PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 225, 11 June 1918, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Speculation in regard to the linos on which the enemy proposes to develop his offensive in the Western theatre is to an extent set at rest by the news that the Germans have opened another big attack on the front extending from Montdidier to Noyon. These' towns, both of them railwaj junctions of some, importance, lie a mile or two behind the front on which the enemy attacked. This front is immediately north of that against which tho enemy concentrated in the last phas» of his offensive, when he attempted to strike westward after driving south to the Maine. From Montdidier to Noyon, however, the lino of contact runs almost due east and 'west. Montdidier stands twenty miles south-cast of Amiens, and Noyon, twenty miles farther east, is just about twenty miles north-west of Soissoiis. From the Onrcq, about midway between Soissons and .the Manic, to Montdidier tho Allied lino now forms a fairly pronounced salient. Like other, salients it is in some degree vulnerable, but since it- is of considerable extent and well provided with railway communications it represents, so long as it is maintained, a very definite menace to the enemy positions on north and south—that is to say, to the German salient facing Amiens and the salient which has been driven south to tho Marnc. From Montdidier to Noyon, the Allies are facing into tho southern flank of the enemv line opposite Amiens. *****

In the attack now reported, the enemy is seeking' to eliminate this menace. His success, as reports stand, has been extremely limited. The battle developed in its opening stages on lines that are now familiar, the artillery preparation being of short duration. The Germans opened their bombardment at midnight on Saturday, and launched their attacking waves at 4.30 on Sunday morning. According to a London" message they penetrated to a depth of two miles on a front of twenty miles, but the same message adds that the French checked the advance after heavy fighting. Some further details are supplied in a French communique, which indicates that the attack was firmly met, but as to the. extent of the enemy's penetration it supplies no more definite information than is afforded in the statement that the French troops are resisting with magnificent bravery in > the- covering zone. It is, of course, too soon to form a definite conclusion, but there are at least hopeful indications that the enemy has signally failed to repeat the sweeping initial success which rewarded his efforts on other sections of the front—most recently on the Aisnc. There is no suggestion at present that he achieved a surprise, and it seems to be conclusive on this point that the possibility of an attack by the enemy in the rcjion ho has in fact selected has been a subject of discussion for a good many days past. * * * *

It is quite evident in any case that very important issues arc raised. Succeeding in his attempt to reduce the Allied salient the enemy would achieve a double purpose. He would clear one flank of his advance on Amiens by way of the Somme valley, and at the same time would greatly minimise whatever menace is now offered to his positions extending south to the Marne. On the other hand, as long as they maintain the salient'of which the front on which they arc now being attacked forms the northern face, the Allies arc well placed to rapidly move troops and guns along the lengthy front which extends from the region south of the Somme to that of the Marne. The battle as it develops should throw considerable light upon general prospects in tho campaign.