HINDENBERG’S DEFENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1600, 19 August 1916, Page 4

HINDENBERG’S DEFENCE.

Disenssing tlio strength of the forces in von Hi mien berg’s old command norib of ihe Pripet, the miliinry correspondent of Ihc Morning Post says: —“So far the Austrians have had to tight their bat hies without much help from their German masters. The Verdun offensive has been carried out at the expense of the front in Russia, leaving Hindenhnrg, so it is said, with only 48 infantry and 10 cavalry divisions to hold his front of 450 miles between Riga and the Pripet. Assinning that all his units are up to full strength a somewhat' doubtful assumption in view of the Crown Prince’s demands for drafts to fill casualties, and the known practice of the Germans to allow their armies on the defensive to fall below establishment —the effective strength of Hindenburg’s group of armies does not much exceed a million, comprising about 050,000 rifles. Thus on the most liberal estimate he had less than 1,500 men per mile with which to meet all requirements before he parted with his troops — probably a couple of divisions which he despatched to the. Lutsk region to aid General Puhallo. More than this Ire could not be expected to do in the way of rendering direct assistance. For the rest, he has made a brave show by demonstrating at various points, which, however, could hardly deceive anybody.”