AN OFFICIAL REVIEW.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1918, Page 1

AN OFFICIAL REVIEW.

THE WEEK’S OPERATIONS. RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNORGENERAL. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. COPYRIGHT. t WELLINGTON. This Day. The following has been received by the Governor-General from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the operations for the week ending 23rd May: “ There are four points of special

interest in connection with the wcoirs operations on the Western Front-. The first was the continuous, remarkable success of the Australians in the angle of the rivers Somme and Ancre. The second was a- very brilliant Tittle operation whereby the French rectified ■and advanced tlieir line between Scherpenberg and Rommel Hills, so as to give themselves the full benefit of several minor, actions in that sector, which they successfully carried out dur-

ing the last, few weeks. The third was the very marked ascendency in the air, which the Allies established over the enemy.

The fourth was the almost complete lack of enemy initiative; their few undertakings being confined to local counter-attacks, all of which were unsuccessful. While there may be a considerable connection between the two latter points, the general impression produced is that the enemy is gathering himself together for a renewal of his offensive on a grand scale. It is now seven weeks since the .Somme offensive came to a standstill and four weeks since- that of the Lys. or for the latter, five weeks, if the taking of Rommel Hill is regarded as a separate operation _

This, possibly, was time enough for

the enemy to restore liis men and dumps to a sufficient- standard, hut is is very dqnbtful, if he can have satisfactorily established his neccessary transport arrangements. It is probable that the Royal Air Force contributed to Hie delay of tlie ©tinny iiuth.is matter. The Americans are steadily arriving, and Mr Baker has announced that half a million are already in France, and the rate will he increased, but the enemy knows there must necessarily be nn interval before the troops now arriving from American can be put in the firing line, a consideration which does not apply to trained men which he m himself constantly transoorting from the Eastern Front. He may, therefore, conclude that- his present superiority in no immediate danger of being disturbed, and besides, since the next attack may bo his last-, he will not launch it. until he is absolutely ready. If, however, tlie enemy should 0p... the attack in the immediate future, it will be to the disadvantage of our hastily-made preparations, and unaer force other than purely military consideration.

A« regards the prospects of the campaign, it is already frequently pointed out that it is entirely a questiou of reserves. Reserves may include not- oulv inan-pou'er, but hlSo time and space, for every week’s delay brings the Allies the acquisition of American strength, while every yard of ground exchhngeu for enemy casualties may also be put to the credit of th© reserve.

Apart from American aid, tlie manpower situation is more in the Allies’ favour than when the German offensive began on 21st March. This is due to two causes. At that time the enemy were able to concentrate fi numerically greater superior force opposite the British front, thereby leaving parts of the French front comparatively lightly held. This could lie countered either by the French attacking at noroe such part on

their own front, or by the French Aimj correspondingly, concentrating divisions to form a general reserve. For a milliner of reasons, the latter course was adopted, but since the initiative w.™ with the enemy, and and he is on interior lines, the French could not move, nor combat in equal number of divisions to those moved by the Gormans. On this next- occasion, the Allies will have the same choice in the matter, hut with the added advantage of the unity of command. Secondly, the enemy losses in the first part of the campaign have been greater than those of the Allies. The casualties incurred in the fighting very nearly equal his reserves in depots. Tims, on now replacing his casualties from his depots, he will have a very small reserve left.

On the other hand, the Allies’ reserve is at least equal to that of the enemy. Tlieir tactics in defence are such as to reduce their own losses to a minimum, while inflicting the maximum on the enemy, and again time is with them. The Air Ministry reports that improved weather conditions on the Western Front at- last- have led to greater activity of tin- aircraft. An exceptional amount of work is being accomplished. Approximately IS6 toils of bombs were dropped in tile battle zone and neighbourhood of Bruges, Zeebrugge and Ost-cnd. Nearly 137,000 rounds of small arms ammunition were fired, with excellent results at- different ground targets. Over 15,000 photographs were taken. The air fighting generally was severe. Hostile scouts made persistent, but unsuccessful, efforts to deny our bombers and rcconnaisaiiee machines access to their objectives, or failing this, to intercept them when returning. The mostnotable results of these tactics have been the heavy increase of tlie German casualty list-, 48 ,euemy aircraft being brought down by air fighting or other means, and thirty-nine driven, down out of control. Fifty-four of our machines failed to return during the week, which is a relatively small figure, when considered in the light of the number of hours flown and the amount of bombing, photographic and reconnaissance work accomplished. The enemy naval bases on the Belgian coast at Zeebrugge, Ostend and the important centre at Bruges, with its interconnecting canal system, were again subjected to incessant attacks. Hits were- secured on the quays and docks and enemy shipping. Reports received state, that most important material damage was caused. The weather allowed the resumption of long distance operations into Germany, and the Royal Air Force took full advantage of the improved conditions. Raids were carried out into Germany on five days out of the seven. Important railway communications at Diedeihogon and Thionville wore bombed on three occasions, and station and sidings at Metz were twice attacked. Raids were also carried out on important military objectives at Saarbrnken, Cologne and Landau, northwest of Karlsruhe. Goods bursts were observed'in the course' of these raids and a number of fires and explosions caused. All evidence continues to point to the demoralising effect of our frequent penetration of the German frontiers, particularly the Rhine valley, whore, lively dissatisfaction is expressed with' the authorities, owing to the failure of antiaircraft measures.

Our activities this week have brought home once again to the enemy in German territory, the fact that only during periothr of unfavourable weather can they hope to enjoy immunity from attack.

The Food Ministry reports that rationing has uudoiibtedlv proved successful in lessening the rate of oonsump tion, despite the leakage which is naturally accompanied its inauguration in some districts. Owing to the improvement of imports, the ration of butchers’ meat has been raised to one pound per head wceklky. This increase has shown that the rationing system is elastic and has done much to convince the public that the restrictions on consumption will he relaxed when circumstances and considerations of future safety permit. Steps are being taken to restrict- the bringing to market of home produce and stock at present immature. The shortage of chee-so causes considerable hardship. National kitchens are being established in increased numbers, and where properly managed, effect a great saving of food, without loss to the municipality.

Tlie Board of Trade reports the British Government has contracted to purchase from t-lie Zinc Producers Association Proprietary Limited of Australia, stocks of zinc concentrates existing at the end of. 1917, less reserves, subject to reasonable protection for Australian requirements. Also the production from the beginning of 1918 to the maximum extent of 250.000 tons per annum during tlie war, nhcl on the year after, and 300.000 tons nor annum for the subsequent nine years.