THE WEEK'S WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1918, Page 3

THE WEEK'S WAR

' GERMAN WTIIDRAWAL NOT

■ Unexpected. GREEKS TO TAKE THE FIELD. WELLINGTON, August 6. The following telegraphic review o the general war situation for the we-el ended August '2nd has been received b; the Governor-Genoral from the Minis try of Information: The German withdrawal on a twenty five mile front, between the Ourcq, Oik the Ardre was not unexpected, owing ti j the difficult position in which he wa; placed. Though (it- was conducted orderly and skilfully, and without Josj of guns, tho enemy was compelled tc j abandon largo quantities of ainmuniI tion, stores and material including a j great amount of bridging material j which is an indication that it was his original intention to pass the Marne in j great strength and advance on Paris. | The enemy is at present making such a ' determined resistance that it is evident he does not intend to be hurried in with drawing. His future intentions are doubtful. It is unlikely he will hold his present line, for such an extensive retirement has already been accomplished and is so complete an admissioß of defeat, that a further withdrawal could hardly have a worse moral effect, and his position is most unfavourable. Tho riv<y Aisne is in his

rear, and all its bridges near Missy are under French fire, also there are only about eight roads to supply the salient so that the congestion and difficulties of supply must bo enormous. The only hint of a possible further withdrawal is the burning of villages solth-west of Soissons. go long as lie. continues to hold the line south of the Aisne his position will always be a source of weakness. He lias used seventy-one divisions and only somo twenty fresh ones remain nt the disposal of Prince Ruppreeht. If the Germans use the remaining reserves in a fresh offensive

this would be a desperate gamble. 110w r greatly General Focli’s success and the rapid development of the American army have altered the relative situation of the Allies and the Germans can bo noted from the fact that now for the first time this year, the Allies’ fresh reserves are actually greater than those of the enemy, in spite of numericial superiority of the enemy along the whole front. But it must bo remembered that the Germans have not. yet lost tho initiative, and even if they are unable to make a further offensive on the Western front, they can always transfer forces to Italy or the Balkans though there is no present indication of such an intention. Meanwhile the French higher command most warmly praise the British corps co-operating on tho Eastern front of the salient. There is every reason to believe that the British progress- here hastened the German rotreat, anti hail an important influence on the success of operations.