Hokitika guardian & Evening star TUESDAY MARCH 6 1917 THE ANORE FIGHTING.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1917, Page 2

Hokitika guardian & Evening star TUESDAY MARCH 6 1917 THE ANORE FIGHTING.

The British success last week ia the Ancre fighting is very important m the light of past events, even though the suggestion be accepted that the enemy are carrying out a previously conaeived retreat. The fact that the Bntiah are pushing on, establishes the view that the German defences of a year ago or so are being overcome, and that the decision to retire, if such it be, is the result of cause and effect, rather than any wish on the part of the enemy to readily evacuate positions which previously held the British up. It was as far back as July of last year that the British launched their original attack in the Ancre region. The first heroic rush swept across the German lines, but it was found impossible to maintain the positions gained against the then skilful and prompt German counter attacks. The Germans recovered the lost ground and held it till the middle of last November, when in the dark and fog a fresh British attack was launched. On that occasion the troops had the help of a Naval Division, which north of the Ancre, swept along the river valley and across the rising ground. The tanks participated in this advance and did good service. A week’s fighting followed, and produoed 7,000 German prisoLers and a much advanced British line, which on this attempt was held. Much material was also taken. The accounts of thß fighting also indicated that stores of all sorts were found, and it was,related that some of the victorious Scots had a breathing space in which they were able to tap a store of c : gars and txchange shirts with the German supply of clean ones ! Actually, the November success was a very striking one, and the critics held it proved this thesis : that no position is so strong, no season so forbidding, and no weather conditions so poor that the - Germans can be sure of immunity. Now this is being farther verified. The pall of winter is passing, and the British have tal; u up the task from where

they rested, They appear to dominate Bapaume which was the main British objective when the Somma offensive was first launched. The civil population appear to havs baen sent away from Bapaume, and the enemy are evidently assisting in the destruction of the French town, as large explosions are heard from that direction. The undeniable advance of :ha British of late speaks for itself. The enemy have lost the initiative and at the best are taking refuge in strategic retreat. No German offensive worthy the name has been attempted in the West siuca tha Verdun attack, and the fact that they had to give up that costly prize by a like “‘strategic retreat” also supplies food for thought as to the ability to hold on when the giant offensive is pushed home. Evidence is accumulating on ali sides that the Alließ have the distinct advantage in gunp, and this superiority wi;l be ihe deciding factor iD pushing home the great offensive now so near at hand. The Ancre fighting gives hope for that successful issue to the fray to which feelings have b3en long buoyed up.