AMMUNITION PLENTIFUL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 4, 6 January 1916, Page 3

AMMUNITION PLENTIFUL.

GERMANY'S CONSERVATIVE USB

An officer invalided home after the battle, of Hulluch tells us he Was surprised at the result of the magnificent advance cf the British forces on the German lines (writes. Sir Henry Lucy from London to the Sydney Morning Herald). During prolonged, duty in the trenches he closely studied them, and had sorrowfully arrived at the conclusion that they were impregnable. As we know, that was a view confidently shared by the Germans. What achieved the apparently impossible was the terrific fire kept up day and night from British batteries. There is now no shortage of supply, whether of guns or of ammunition. The first evidence of the new state of things is seen in this successful attack, resulting in au important advance of the British and French position. There is, he said, no prospect now of relapse into the former condition of affairs. The consequence is that the forward movement will be continued until the Germans are driven out fljfi France and Flanders. Whilst in quietly determined manner and speech this high authority, fresh from the scone of conflict, is thus hopeful, he does not overlook or minimise the danger and difficulty ahead. The Germans are on the homeward march. But they will make it, at least, to begin with, exceeding slow, taking heavy toll from the driving force in the rear.

What puzzles the officer is the neglect of the Germans to adopt the strategy that proved successful the case of the British and French. As Belgium learned more than 12 months ■ago, and as the Russians have been taught afresh within the last five or six weeks, Germany alone among the combatant nations has not been hampered by insufficient supply of guns and shells. Presumably, indeed, in accord with information acquired at headquarters, she has for months had at her command munitions of equal calibre and quantity as those with which Sir John French a short time ag cmade such effective use. Why did she not turn them on the British trenches and work there the havoc later wrought by the British guns upon German trenches? That is a mystery my friend could not fathom. Knowing his Germany, he surmises

that it conceals facts the revelation of which would be exceedingly useful at British 'and French headquarters.