In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 55, 2 October 1916, Page 5

In the West

FURTHER CAINS AT THIEPVAL. THE IMPORTANCE OF LES "'l'', ■■'._'.;,; -■'..- • boeufs. , „".,.',.,.','.; tT The High CommjsSiiqner reports;—s October 1 (12.30 p.m.") J A British official report this morning , relates further gains in the Tniepval area and Schweben JR.3doubt. A, number of prisoners were taken and severe losses, inflicted on i;he enemy. , We also captured a German Armv 6rder . dated September 21, emphasising the importance of the Lei Roeuisvposition and stating: "Our last protection for artillery must in no circumstances be lost." The position was v captured shortly afterwards. \ MINIMISING ALLIED SUCCESS OUR INFANTRY THROUGH CEF2 MAN-COLOURED SPECTACLES. Press Association—Copyright, Auscralian and N.Z. Cable Association, a ' (Received 9 a.m.) ■.'•{"■■ Amsterdam, October 1.

The latest. explanation of the German reverses on the Somme is that the Anglo-French infantry are worthless, hut that thanks to. their over whelming artillery they were som >- times enabled to rush the fortified positions which had been reduced to ruins. Thus Herr Georg Queri, tli3 Tagebktt's military critic, who says: "Infantry fighting is no longer man against man, but man, against cripples, wounded, and dead. A trench is rushed only when it has been blown to dust. This is the enemy's confession that their infantry is of poor quality." , . , Herr Queri overlooks the fact that 50,000 unwounded prisoners were taken on the Somme, and forgets the eulogies officially bestowed on the German General Staff for sparing the infantry at Verdun by means of artillery preparation.

STRATEGY DISCUSSED. ENEMY ALIVE TO THE DANCER. Press Association—Copyright. . v United Service. (Received 10 a.m.) ( , • London, October 1. Mr J. L. Garvin, editor of Loudos Opinion, says great things are lilnl. to eventuate before the winter. A glance at.the map will show that if ,the wedge is cut much further east erly of the Bapaume-Peronne road, it will endanger communications, which are vital even for a large part of the line of the front. He' thinks thp enemy is alive to the danger, and already is preparing for retirement; therefore a sudden debacle is unlikely. He expects Generals Haig and Jdffre bofore the end of the year to deal motre staggering blows than any yet given. Referring to General Hindenburg he underrated the difficulties, stating that the German leader was unable ■to undertake a great advance in Russia, therefore was concentrating to smash Roumania, hold th" line from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and return west bofore the Franco-British have time to deliver the knock out.

ARTILLERY DUEL AT DIXMUDE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. • London, October 1. A Belgian -communique states: A great artillery duel has been, raging in the Dixmude region for the last week, it boing especially effective inc destroying the German Avorks at the Hetsors sector.