ON THE WESTERN FRONTS.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 August 1918, Page 6

ON THE WESTERN FRONTS.

GERMAN HIGH COMMAND’S DILEMMA. TWO UNPLEASANT ALTERNATIVES. NEW YORK, August 10. The Times’ Washington correspondent states that the opinion of militaryofficials is that the startling rapidity of ■tc’li PrancO-British /advance Un Picardy, following on the other Allied successes, will force the German high command cither to use up reserves in a pitched battle in attempting to block the Allies or to retreat to hold the lines occupied last ‘March. The British captured Eosieres and Warvillers. Progress on both sides of Montdidier continues. Eleven German divisions have been smashed in the present battle. GALLANT AUSTRALIANS. GENERAL BIRDWOOD’S TRIBUTE. MELBOURNE, August 11. General Birdwood cabled Senator Pearce: All our divisions participated in the recent successful operations, and again distinguished themselves by their gallant bearing, which could not be beaten. Our corps alone captured 5,000 prisoners and 100 guns. Our casualties were extraordinarily small, owing to the complete surprise of the whole operation. GERMANS’ TERRIBLE LOSSES. j LONDON, August 10. Mr. Robinson states: The relatively great number of German dead is the most striking feature of the torn battlefield on the Santerre Plateau. It is beyond anything I have ever seen. The losses in one fight were ten times greater than ours. The completeness of the enemy’s rout and the overwhelming power of our artillery, are everywhere in evidence. Enormous masses of scattered material, and arms were found, including whole deserted batteries amid piles of untouched ammunition. TO KEEP ON HITTING. WASHINGTON, August 10. General March (Antcric-an Chief-of l staff) says the time has now arrived On the West front for the Allies’ greatest blow.’ Poeh intends to keep on hitting. Any suggestion that the end of the war is near is unfounded,' but the' time has come to keep the enemy running. The passage of the initiative to the Allies at this stage is all important.