10 YEARS AGO

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1928, Page 6

10 YEARS AGO

—**—** ON THE BATTLE-FRONT. LONDON, Aug. 8. The great battle which Haig’s troops opened on the Amiens front in Franco on this date ten years ago stands out in its importance from all the events of the Great War. It was the beginning of the end, the commencement of three months of continual victory. The plans for it had been prepared by Rawlinsou, commanding the British 4th Army, and Monash, commanding the Australians. They were then submitted to Haig, Avho warmly approved them, on July lrth; but before action could be taken on them they had also to be sanctioned by Fooh.

Foch’s approval was given six days later, on July 23rd. His own wish was that the British should attack farther to the north, in the Bethune sector. But Haig had' great confidence in RaAvlinson’s and Monash’s judgment; and Fooh finally accepted their vieAV, Avith some modifications which rather complicated the British plan. The bIoAV which Avas being prepared Avas to be struck by troops who had suffered terrific losses in tlie eeiliei 'months of the year. But these troops had never faltered in their courage or faith. Through all the long weeks of retreat and disaster they kept their coolness and determination. And now their generals believed that their turn had 'cornel If the battle Avent 'well; Haig intended no one-or-two-day onslaught, but a whole series of battles, culminating in the capture of tlie huge German fortified positions known as the Hindenlmrg Line. As tlie attack advanced, it 'Avas therefore to grow in violence and in extent. In undertaking such a task -Haig’s audacity .seems extraordinary. The en emy was in superior force on bis front and had a record since March 21st nt almost unbroken sucess against the British. The British Government wn c itself doubtful of Haig’s capacity, and ■*•<> recently as the closing Aveeks of May had considered his removal. He AvasTegardcd as being in some degree responsible for the fearful losses at Passchendaele in 1917, and for the defeat of March 1918.

The belief in official quarters in London Avas that lie Avas “much too sanguine.’’ In actual fact it proved that he ltad correct’y understood tire difficulties of the German position. The British attack opened at 4.29 aim... oil August Bth There was r

heavy ground mist, when, in General Mjonash’s words, “suddenly with a . mighty roar two'- thousand guns began the symphony; a great illumination lighted up the eastern horizon, and in stantly the Whole cbm pie x • organise tion, extending far back to areas almost beyond earshot of guns, began to move forward.” ■ t* The German infantry, well tried and brave, flinched before the finultlfyule’ o'" tanks that came craAvling out of the night upon it. “At home,” says a German-front soldier, Lieut. Hesse, people only saw pictures of destroyed tanks and beard only bow the (German) infantry dodged them and fought them with hand-grenades and tank rifles. The reality was something terribly different, a- panic-stricken, flying infantry.”' 1

The German front positions were rapidly .over-run by; the Canadian and Australian corps';- By noon Australian troops were in Harbonnieres, 6 or 7 miles from the British front, and prisoners were pouring into the British cages by the thousand. It wa.s( as Ludendorff said, “the black day of the German Army.”

British armoured oars dashed through the gap torn in the German front and pushed as far as Proyart, where the staff of the German 51st. Corps A\ r ere completely surprised and captured at lunch. The* commander of the corp« had a narrow escape; he had left a few minutes earlier. The British raiders fell hack from this point with valuable captures of papers and plans.

In Mangin’s attack at Soissons his tanks and infantrY penetrated 5 miles on the first day. Tn the British atta'efhv tlie 4th .Army the penetration waf* 7 to 8 miles at the deepest point. Nd sewer than 14,000 prisoners and 440 guns were secured: . Only' in one quar te.r were the British held up—on the 3rd. Corps front; near Mori an court where there had been fighting during the previous days. Debeny’s advance with the Ist. French Army, south of the British, followed forty minutes alter tlie British attack, and he made important gains of ground, capturing numerous guns and 3,200 urisoners. N