Maurice's Reviaw

Taihape Daily Times, 23 July 1918, Page 6

Maurice's Reviaw

General Maurice opines that Mangin's attack has upset the Crown Prince's plans. He is in great difficulties. Evidently the Germans have men to throw into the battle, and they arc fighting hard. The Allies have already achieved greiat things, but we must avoid premature predictions, of the enemy's disaster. The vital point is Soissons The reterition of the Mantagne de Paris seems certain. The Germans have to discontinue attacks at this point. They also may draw in the remainder of the Crown Prince's reserves, while the enemy, in order to readjust his lines, may have to retire a considerable distance. Unless they are able to deprive the French of their gains, there is a chance that it may prove a definite German defeat. The initiative has passed to French. The whole German position between. Soissons and Rheims is endangered. We have neutralised the Crown Prince's army, and he will have his work cut out to extricate himself from his present position. On the other hand, Prinee Rupprecht's group, between Montdidier, and the Channel, possesses formidable reserves. Probably these will be used against the British front. It"' is unlikely the Germans will "throw good money after bad/' Therefore they will probably only use sufficient troops to prevent the situation becoming a defeat, and throw their forces in elsewhere. The enemy

failure in Champagne is likely to accelerate the blow between Montdidier and the sea, as there is little room to manoeuvre on the British front. It cannot be said that anxiety is altogether ended.