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Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1917, Page 2

In the recent heavy and successful fighting on tho west front, reference was made to the use of storm tro:, Tho Morning Post correspondent lately described a typical affair, arising out of a German attempt to retake Inverness C'opse by means of storm troops The Germans, lie says, are no longer able to rely on tho ordinary line regiments to assault tho British lines, and tho necessity of “storm troops’’ is a iiio.4t striking proof of the decadence of the army Tho bulk of the Germans are only fit to hold a multitude of concrete forts, with which the Hindeuburg lno and tho farms of Flanders are studded. While tho picked “storm troops” enter the barrage the infantry remain idle in their trenches and craters. Frequently the infantry afterwards lose the position the “storm troops” have won, resulting in recriminations and an exchange of angry taunts between .different branches of the German army. The attack on Inverness Copse was carefully planned and rehearsed by Bavarian stunners supported bv 11 aide machines. 'lbo ground had been accurately surveyed from aeroplane photographs. The Bavarian charge secured a l'ew small trenches,• but our ordinary troops, counter-attacking a few hours later, quickly flung them out. Such inei dents convince our men that they arc more than a match for the best German infantry. The latest incidents in last week’s heavy engagements will further convince the enemy that they are outclassed. Nothing could be given than the dash of the Colonial troops who are vicing with each other to share in the honours of the war. They set a standard of their own, and their methods are undeniable. Even the specially trained German infantry will And it impossible to approach such brilliance, because they lack the fine, tree spirit, so distinctive of the colonial fighter.

No doubt the question of attrition is attracting special attention at the present time, because Sir Douglas Haig appears to be more concerned over the task of wearing down the enemy’s strength gradually than he lie is preparing for anything in the nature of a big decisive blow. Although little has been said regarding the attrition of the enemy’s forces tor some time past, this wearing down of his strength has always been an consideration in the general Allied plan. Sir Douglas Haig told us that it was one of the. main objects which he had in view during the battle of the Somme. The Allied offensives, which have been delivered during the present year in the western front have nil been directed towards wearing down the enemy rather than towards effecting a break-through in his defensive line. The famous Ypres salient, which was always regarded as one of the costliest sectors on the British front, has been eliminated. By the capture of Massines Ridge the British transferred to the enemy the daily drain in men which laid previously been necessary in order that they should hold the dominated trenches there. The V"imy Ridge and the Aisno heights are also positions which previously dominated the Allies’ line, but from which the Allies now overlook that of the enemy. He must continue to pay in men for the loss of these positions, and bv the time tho auuitional strength which the United States is able to give the Allies is available, we may begin to appreciate the arithmetic of the critics in regard to waning German man-power, more than we are able to to-day.