THE WAR REVIEWED.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1918, Page 3

THE WAR REVIEWED.

ms official summahy

[I*ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPYRTGIIT.j WELLINGTON, This Day. Official summary from the Ministry of Information London, 23rd AugustSome people made invidious compai.j sions as to the extent of the Gorman ; offensive on March 21st on the Somme front- of August Bth. This shows a serious misunderstanding . Why the” Germans were able to advance more than thirty- miles in one week was because they had overwhelming numbers amounting, io three to one. with very largo reserves available to continue the advance after initial assault had broken our lines. • Our attack of August Bth was on f , much smaller scale,* and the Allied superiority on the actual front was not nearly equal to that of the German*, on March 21st while tlie available re-

serves were not superior to those which the enemy could resist. Despite thes P disadvantages the Allies on August Bth advanced nearly half the distance of tho Germans on March 21st on a frontage of much less than half that covered the German attack and accomplished it despite strong German

reserves, and with fewer casualties during the whole operation, than the number of German taken whereas the German casualties - or March 21st were exceedingly heavy. We now have little to learn, therefore in tactical methods from the enemy and he was again completely surprised both by the attack of the Tenth French Army between tbe Oise and the Aisne, and by that of the Third British Army south of Arras which speaks volumes for the present tactcal methods and efficiency of the staff work. Tt is still too early to foretell what effect the advance between the Aisne and the Oise will make on the situation, hut; it evidently seriously threatens the enemy positions north of the Aisne, and if continued will put-flank the entire enemy line on the Vesle besides threatening tlie line west or Oise.

The total number of prisoners taken in the three da.vs, 18th to 20th., was moro than ten thousand. North of the Somme the enemy continues gradually retiring from the Serre salient. Our troops have now advanced to practically the Albert-Arras railway. This position threatens the right (lank of tin enemy line on the Anere and the important Thiepval 11-idge which is of great strength. The recently shown desire of the eveniy withdraw from salients and ri.ivigh.teii his front may forebode a more extended withdrawal as that of last year, to the -Rindenburg line. There is no evidence though, of this, but heavy German losses and the present serious shortage of men is such tha’’ a retirement is not improbable. Nothing lias happened in Italy but it is worthy of note that tbe Austriar losses were heavy. On tho British front from June loth to August 15th., they ar 0 estimated at 20,200 whereas the British casual -ties were only 2,544. The air fight inp were less intense this week, 'lliore waß a temporary concentration of largf German air forces in Amiens soc-to> operating at a considerable height bu* notwithstanding this there was no slae lcening of activities of British airmei and a heavy toll of German machine

was taken .at relatively slight cost ■Successful bombing operations were carried out in Flanders, Belgium mu’ over Germany. There was continuous ]y serious raids on Zeebrugge, Bruges Os tend, Middlekirk, Westende, and coastal area. Over tons of bomb wore dropped and many direct hit* were obtained, resulting in iires which wore confirmed by photographs. At Varsonea aerodromes one hangar was demolished during the air fighting Twenty enemy machines were destroyed and 11 came down and 4 British machines were reported missing. Our independent forces successfully carried out bombing raids into Germany attack in-' stations and sidings at Thionville, Offenburg, Sarlebjovg, Mannheim. Enemy dromes were bombed at Frihdorf, Balil Morhange etc., and heavy fighting Morhange etc., and blast furnaces at Volking. During heavy fighting ! eiiemv machines were destroyed and 2 driven down, and 3 British machine failed to return.

On the British sector of ih’o Western front. British airmen destroyed during the week 100 enemy machines; while 38 wore driven down and 44 British machines were reported missing. An immense amount of photographic reeonnaisance and counter-battery "ork "as carried out.

No sensational achievements was re ported from Italian, Balkan and Palestine fronts, but British airmen were busy throughout the week dropping considerable weight bombs destroying 5 enemy machines and driving dow n o Mr Hoover before going back to America, expressed satisfaction with the results of conferences of Allied Food Controllers. The great transportation problem within tlnj next >cai is to move sufficient American troops to Europe to give overpowering strength against any forces the Germans may be able to bring to bear. In order to accomplish this, economy in consumption is imperative is all Allied countries. On the other hand.the danger of privation is now passed.