WEEKLY WAR SUMMARY.

Taihape Daily Times, 26 August 1918, Page 5

WEEKLY WAR SUMMARY.

OFFICIAL SUMMARY. WELLINGTON. August 23. The following is The official summary from the Ministry of Information, dated August 23rd. Some people make invidious comparison as to the extent of the German offiShsive of March 21st, compare!! with the ‘Anglo-French attack on the Somme front of August Bth. This shows a serious misunderstanding. Why the Germans were able to admore than thirty miles in one week because they had overwhelming numbers, amounting to three to one, with very large reserves available to continue the advance after the initial assault had broken our lines. Our attacks on August Sfh was on a much smaller scale, and the Allied superiority on the actual front was not nearly equal to that of the Germans on March 21st, vhile our available reserves were not superior to those which the enemy could resist with. Despite these disadvantages the Allies on August 8. advanced nearly half the disstanee of the Germans on March 21st on a frontage of much loss than half that covered by the German attack, and accomplished it despite strong German reserves and, with fewer casualties during the whole operation than the number of German prisoners taken. Whereasthe German casualties on March 21st were exceedingly heavy. We now have little to learn, therefore in tactical methods from the enemy, and he was again completely surprised, both by the attack of the Tenth French Army between the Oise and the ,Aisnc and by that of the Third British Army south of Arras, • which speaks volumes for our present tactical method on the efficiency of staff work. It is still too early to foretell what effect the advance between the Aisne and the Oise will make on the situation, but it evidently seriously threatens the enemy positions north of the Aisnp- and if continued will out flank the entire enemy line on the Vesle, besides threat-, ening the line west of the Oise. The total number of prisoners taken in ■three days from 17th to 20th, was more than''ten thousand. North of the Somme continues gradually retiring from the Serre salient.' Our troops have now advanced practically to the' Albert-Arras railway. This position threatens the right flank of the enemy lino on the Ancre and the important Thiepval ridge, which is of great strength. This was recently shown in the desire of the enemy to withdraw from salients and straighten his front and may forbodc a morfe extended withdrawal as that of last, year to the Hindonburg line. There is no evidence, though, of this, bu£ the heavy German losses and the present serious shortage of men make such a retirement not improbable.

Nothing has happened in Italy, "but it is worthy of note: that the Austrian losses on the British front from June 15th to August 15th. arc estimated at 20,200 whereas the British casualties were only 2544. Air fighting was less intense this week. • There was a temporary con-' centration of large German air forces in the Amiens sector, operating at considerable height, but notwithstanding this there was no slackening of the activities of British airmen, and a heavy toll of German machines was taken at relatively slight cost. Successful bombing operations were carried out in Flanders, Belgium, and over Germany. There was a continuous series of raids on Zeebrugge, Bruges, Ostend, Middelkorke, Westende, and the coastal area. Over 32 tons of bombs were dropped, and many direct hits obtained, resulting in fires, which were confirmed by photographs. At Vaarisen area aerodrome six machines were fired and one hangar demolished. During air fighting here 13 enemy machines were destroyed and 11 driven down; three British machines were reported missing. An R.A.F. independent force successfully carried out bombing .raids into Germany, attacking stations and sidings at Thionville, Offcnburg, Sarrebourg and Mannheim, enemy aerdurbmes at Sonlay, Frithdorf, Buhl, Morhange, and blast furnaces at Volklingin. During fighting four enemy machines were destroyed and two driven down; three British machines failed to return. On the British sector of the Western front British airmen destroyed during the week 100 enemy machines; while 38 were driven down; four British machines were reported missing. An immense amount of photographic, reconnaissance, and counter battery work was carried out. *No sensational achievements were reported from the Italian, Balkan, and Palestine fronts, but British airmen were busy throughout the week dropping a considerable weight of bombs, destroying three enemy machines and driving down eight. Mr. Hoover, before going back to America expressed satisfaction with the results of conferences of Allied food controllers. “The great transportation problem within next year is to move sufficient American troops To Europe to give an overwhelming

strength against any forces the Ger* mans may be able to bring to bear. In order to accomplish this economy of consumtion is imperative in Allied countries. On the other hand the danger of privation is now passed.”

In the United States we need to exercise continued rigid economy in consumption so that we may meet increased demanSfs from Europe and enable us to carry over from the more abundant harvest this year and a stock of foodstuffs to form a positive insurance against possible climax and the eventualities of next harvest.” Most excellent weather encourages the hope of fulfilment of the Allied decision to maintain a distribution of cereal rations. The enforced reliance upon home supplies will mean a further reduction in meat rations while increased cost will necessitate an increase in price. The same problem of providing additional feeding stuffs continues to be urgent. Luckily the supplies of North American hacon will prevent any real privation. The military reverses have produced great disappointment in Germany’s political circles. Some newspapers point out how they coincide with the appointment ofDr. Hintze. The Reichstag was not consulted, but the more liberal part of the German press say that it is merely a case of ‘‘the devil being sick, and wanting to turn monk.” The polish question, which has for a long time hung up German policy was recently reported to be near a solution. Austria wanted a union of Russian and Austrian Poland as a part of Austria-Hungary power, while Germany was anxious to keep to the triple division of Poland, so that German Poland should not be only unredeemed territory. The suggested compromise now to the fore is that the Archduke Manal Stephen be made King of Poland, in close connection with Germany, with territory which might include parts of White Russia, where there are big landed estates owned by Poles, though the population is Russian; but this kingdom would contain none of the present Austrian or German Poland. Moreover, such an artificial new Polana must rely on Germany for protection! against universal Russian indignation. This compromise would give a German policy almost all it wants; but it is still uncertain whether Austria will acquiesce. . Russia, more and mere realises the humiliation of the Brest Litovsk Treaty, and a strong antiGerman feeling is : strengthened. Thd German Embassy is reported to have fled from Moscow, protected by German soldiers disguised in Russian uniforms. It found Potrcgrad in the hands of bitterly hostile social revolutionaries, and being unable to travel to Pskov was compelled to go via Helsingfors and Reval. The unexpected arrival of British troops at Baku gives fresh revelation of British resource and adds a largo

footer to mauv eastern problem**, which Germany and Turkey must' solve between them, none the more easily since each is on the worst terms with the other, and boTh are on bad terms with Bulgaria. Great Britain’s rigid rationing of coal for domestic

consumption and noh-cssential ■ industries gives yet another instance of sacrifice to which she cheerfully submits in order to moot the heavy demands of the military needs of the Allies. The French Prime, Minister and Marshall Fochc have just paid a note of tribute to the work of British coalminers, urging them to yet do more strenuous efforts, since coal U as essential to victory as men and munitions.