NOTES ON THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 6

NOTES ON THE WAR.

With tho capture of Combles the big Franco-British push at tho beginning of tho week bus boon nicely Tounded off. There are probably kinks in the line still to bo straightened out, but tho main positions—-Lcsbceufß, Morval, Combles, Fregicourt and Rancdurt—are all in the hands of the Allies. Thoro was a minor fight on Monday for a German work on tho road frqjn Leshcmifs to tho little village of Gueudecourt, possibly of no great, importance in itself, but typical of the isolat-

ed fortified positions of which the Germans aro now makirig increasing übc. Tho point is worth mentioning to show that tho continuation of Sunday’s fight was not directed solely against Combles, though that town was necessarily the main objective. Tho British were anxious to improve their, general position, and in all probability the work north of Lesbceufs was proving, troublesome because it sheltered machine-guns and snipers. Quite a number of . these fortified posts havo had to bo cleared after each pliaso of tho Great Push, and the reports strongly suggest that ns the Germans are being forced back from tho old ground where they had their elaborate trenches, deep dug-outs and special blockhouses, they, are adopting tho plan of fortifying small works to strengthen tho otherwise weak now lines of defence. Following on the capture of this position came tho storming of Guoudeoourt itself.

Tbo fall of Combles was not long delayed. A British communiquo announced that troops had entered tfio town and wero overcoming the enemy’s opposition.

Simultaneously the French communique announced that the infantry on the east sido had a footing in tho cemetery, which is on tho eastern outskirts- The capture of the wholo town was announced in another French communiquo. It is good to know that the- Britishers had a share in the final rush, becauso thoir work on Sunday contributed materially to tho result. Indeed, tbo capture of Morval by the British simultaneously with tho capture of Fregicourt by the French meant that tlio advanced position had virtually ceased to bo tennblo by the enemy and that the fall of the town was only a .natter of time. The price to bo paid depended on the devotion of the garrison. If the Germans elected to die lighting tho price to the Allies would

ho high. If they recognised tho inevitable and withdrew the capture , would bo cheap. There could ho no traco of envy or jealousy, however, between the Allies over tho/ success. The British wero north and’ west of the town, the French south and east, and tho two forces seem to have made the entry together.

The advance of this week has provided an excellent illustration of tho efficient co-operation of the Allies. The team work has teen beautifully timed throughout ,As ; a rule tho attacks were made by British and French alternately, so that while the British were consolidating their gains and preparing for the next movo the French were making their advance, and tho Germans wero given no rest. The reduction of Combles called for a simultaneous push, and the whole movement was carried out according to schedule. Each army attacked on a front of about six miles, and if tho British attained the greater depth in their advance it was because the conditions demanded it.

While Combles was being reduced another success, probably quite as important in its way, was gained by the left wing of Rawlinson’s gallant army. Thiepval, which had held out sinco the beginning of July, fell to the British. Correspondents reporting the opening stages of the Great push, declare that British troops in the first rush entered Thiepval. They found the Gormans solidly posted in fortified buildings and dug-outs, but if had been forthcoming tho villago might lmvo been held: As far as ono can gather from the dispatches, which aro not very explicit, it was the position sctetli of Thiepval that compelled the attackers to halt. Between Thiepval and Ovillers there was an extraordinary tangle of trenches, four and five deep, each with its own entanglements, machinegun positions, and the artillery preparation had apparently proved inadequate in view of the nature of the defences.

Mr Warner Allen, who watched various phases of tho French advance, makes it very clear that the Frepch aro wasting no men in this offensive. Ho describes how the artillery is used to level tho enemy’s dofences and how the infantry is kept under control at every stage. If tho defences are not completely levelled tho guns must start again,,and the effect of tho continuous bombardment with high explosive is such that tho Germans who remain alive aro quite incapable of resisting tho advance of tho French infantry. This is not always tho case, of course, but it indicates the> general character of the attack. The British methods aro similar, the pounding by shell being so complete that not one brick remains on another in a villago under attack. There aro bombing enterprises, occasionally, when dug-outs have to be cleared, and tho bayonet is sometimes brought into use, as tho New Zealanders have been finding, but for the most part tho casualties suffered by the Allies appear to be due to machine-gun bullets and shrapnel. The losses aro amazingly small compared with the work that is being done, and it would seem that tho now tactics are irresistible, providing tho shell supply holds out.

The capture of Thiepval clears the left flank of tho original German main position along the ridge that stretches from the Ancro to Combles. It was observed in these notes some little time ago that tho Australians had really sealed tho fate of Thiepval when they conquered the orost of the ridge north of Pozieree. Thereafter it was possible for the British tn work north-west at

the hack of Thiepval, avoiding the necessity for frontal assaults on the steeper face of tho high ground. The village was protected, however, by intensely strong works to tho sohth and east, and these had to t>B reduced by patient attack. There was no imperative need for haste while the main push was going on to the east, though the whole task might have boon simplified if Thiepval had fallen, in the earlier stages. Behind Thiepval i 3 a fortified hill, No. 153, which may cause trouble, but the courso of tho recont fighting raises a presumption that tho Germans are becoming rather demoralised.