COMMENT ON THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 281, 16 August 1918, Page 5

COMMENT ON THE SITUATION

FRENCH TACTICS ON THE MASSIF OF LASSIGNY. in-u 11 r r » n , . London, August 11. With the resumption of the Irencli advanco on tho Lassigny massif, interest attaches to General Humbert s methods of attack. Tho French infantry have a particularly diiiicult task to accomplish in reducing tho enemy resistance, which the formation of the, country strongly assists. The surface of the massif consists of a jumbo of ravines, affording excellent shelter for machine-guns. Artillery 19 practically useless, but the capture of the massif is so important, and may load to such far-rcaching results, that tho difficult task is well worth tho attempt. General Humbert decided against frontal attacks against the machineguns j therefore, each obstacle is being cutUaukcd methodically from two sides, to forco a withdrawal. Hitherto tho plan has worked well. It demands tho greatest courage as well as perseverance, but the French are displaying both nuali-ties.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. REDUCTION OF THE PICARDY SALIENT ... . Washington, August 11. General March, lUmted States Chief of Staff, says tho Picardy salient has now been reduced to a depth of 15 miles upon a front of 53 miles. One United States regiment is engaged in the fighting around Chipilly. There are now 31 American divisions in France-Aub.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SIGNS OF WEAKENED MORAL (Kec. August 15, 11.30 p.m.) London, August 14. Mr. Keith Murdoch, writing on August 12, says: "Though tho German retreat temporarily has been checked, the enemy gives daily and nightly signs that ho is facing the position with weakened moral.' Neither tho Australians nor tho Canadians have had it all their own way during the last two days, but substantial progress continues."—United Service. FRANCO-BRITISH TOTAL CAPTURES, 38,000 i AND ONE THOUSAND GUNS. London, August 14. Tho Paris newspapers draw attention to the fact that tho 28,000 prisoners and GOO guns mentioned by Sir Douglas Uaig include only the captures by tho armies of General Rawlinson and General de Beney. To these should bo added General Humibert'6 10,000 prisoners and 400 guns.—Reuter. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG CONGRATULATED (Rec. 'August 15, 7.55 p.m.) ' London, August 14. Mr. Lloyd George has telegraphed to Sir Douglas Eaig: "The Imperial War Cabinet sonds its warmest congratulations on the great triumph achieved bv tha Allied arms in tho third battlo of tho and tho Empire's heartfelt tlianks to you and your most gallant troops."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-R-outor. THE WAR IN THE AIR DAMAGING RAID ON KARLSRUHE. i London, August 14. During tho British aur raid on Sunday at Karlsruhe a bomb struck tho arsenal and caused a great explosion. Other bombs seriously damaged- tho railway and the ducal palace, and eleven deaths ■ wore caused.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY SERIOUSLY HARASSED BY OUR AIR BOMBERS (Kec; August 15, 7.55 p.m.) Tr . , „ London, August 1-1-15, midnight bur Douglas Haig reports: 'Our continuous bombing day and night of tho Somme bridges, railway lines, and railway junctions since the beginning of tho offensive has held up tho enemy's reinforcements, and also forced him to employ largo formations of air scouts in nil effort to protect his vital communications, but our concentration of machines has effectively dealt with all opposition. We dropped twenty-one tons of bombs during the day-time and thirty-seven tons at night-time above various objectives. Tho Anglo-Americans raided an aerodi»»me at a low height, destroyed six machines, and fired the hangars. Wo brought down twenty-one machines and drove down ten out of control. Six British machines are missing."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. A BAD JULY FOR THE GERMANS HONE HUNDRED BRITISH RAIDS OVER THE FRONTIER. (Rec August 15, 7.55 p.m.) London, August 14. The Press Bureau states: "During July the Independent Rair Force mado one hundred raids, of which ninety-six wera into Germany, and dropped cighty-ono tons of bombs on important military objectives, in epito of periods of bad weather. This constitutes a record 'both in the numbor of raids and tho weight of bombs,"—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.