The Road to France

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 69, 11 August 1914, Page 6

The Road to France

| GERMAN INVADERS. . PROBLEMS OF THE PASSAGE. At this juncture, when the German .invading armies, intent upon forcing a passage into France, arc operating on the right bank of the Meuse in the vicinity of Liege, it is interesting to recall the speculations of military experts in forecasting some such enterprise. Writing in the ''Nineteenth Century,' three years ago, Lieutenant-Colonel Aljagcr Pollock contested the expressed conviction of some other writers in that in tratersing Belgium the Germans would cross the Meuse south of Namur, and thence advance through the rugged and thickly-wooded Ardennes. For a time, he said that he had entertained the same opinions, hut after examining carefully on the spot, the line of tiie Meuse from Namur to Mezieres (in France) ,he realised the practical impossibility of such an enterprise being accomplished i by such an anny with a needful rapidity. The Meuse'runs not between banks, but between precipices; there are but two points that afford useful opportunities for crossing, and even assuming the actual passage itself to have been effected, the railways beyond the river do not readily lend themselves to the movement or supply of a great army. Single lines, numerous tunnels, erratic direction r—all these things are serious impediments, actual or potential. The railways of the Ardennes were constructed for local convenience, not with a view to through traffic. The line from Givet to Hirzan is an exception as regards directness, but damage sufficient to render is useless for weeks could, and would, be effected by the French. THE NORTHERN ROUTE. "Why, at any rate," continues Colouel Pollock, ''should the Germans deliberately face the difficulties, great or small, involved by crossing the Meuse in th« district of the Ardennes, while an easy country with admirable railways, is at their disposal further north? But it may be said that the fortresses of Liege and Namus block the way. This is to some extent true, on paper, but there are plenty of lines that are blocked by neither place, and in actual fact it is extremely unlikely that either would be seriously defended if at all —for Teasons that will be presently stated. Even, however, assuming both Liege and Na.:nur Id lie held against the invaders, .the fact remains that neither is in a condition to resist a determined attaen for more than a few days. The forts surrounding Liege and Namur are quit.' ii|>-*'(-(!ute in themselves, but the 'clearances' needful to give a sufficient field of fire are wanting. Either place would furnish a .strong proof for the operations <:' e.rtive defending annv, but neither could lorig hold out as a besieged place in the ordinary sense. Supposing the entire strength of the Belgian army to he devoted to the defence of Liege and iNamur, I am of opinion that both places would fall within a fortnight, or could lie effectively masked by forces no stronger than the garrisons." Colonel Pollock quotes the opinion of a distinguished French General thai the German right wing would cross the Meuse about and north of Liege and on the twenty-first or twenty-second day after mobilisation would lie deployed on the French frontier in the neighborhood of Lille. It was probable also, he said, that a moderate-sized detached force, say. two armv corps, might cross the Meuse about Dinent and Givet. and having traversed the Ardennes, assist the right wing to take part in operations against the French defenders of the line Ncrdun-Toul. who would meanwhile be assailed violently in front by other troops. THE FRONTIER FORTS. It was in ISSS that the Belgian authorities decided on adequately fortifying the two important passages of the Meuse at Liege and Namur. A similar plan was followed at each place—the construction of a number of detached forts along a periuiiter drawn at a distance of four to six miles from the town, so as to shelter it as far as possible from bombardment. At Liege twelve forts were constructed, six on the right bank and six on the left. The average distance between the forts is four miles, but Fleron and I'handfoiitaine are separated by a little over a mile in the direct, line, as they defend the main line of railway from Gremany. Ail the forts | are constructed in concrete, with ease- | incuts, and heavy guns are raised and lowered automatically. Communication is maintained between the forts by miliI tary roads in all eases, and by steam tramwaKs in some. The nine forts at Nanuir. strong bomb-proof defences, are all situated on elevated points, and in addition there are great natural advantages for the defence of the intervals. THE PRESENT OPERATIONS. The cablegrams so far received afford 110 indication that the Germans contemplate an attempt upon the difficult passage of the Meuse south of Namur. The fighting has been round Liege, and small towns in its vicinity: Meantime the Belgian defenders of the fortified lines appear to be offering a stubborn resistance to the invaders. Tin l statement that the Germans are desirous of following the line of the Meuse presumably indicates a move in the direction of Namur, Imt so far as detailed information goes. Liege is still the centre of operations, and news of heavy fighting in that quarter may be expected. Factors which have not yet figured to any extent in the cabled information, but which may be expected to' exercise a vil;iMy important influence on the operations are the advancing Kren:h army corps and a British expeditionary force.