MILITARY SKILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1918, Page 3

MILITARY SKILL.

GERMANY'S "SUPERIORITY!" A MYTH THAT OUGHT TO BE EXiPLODED. (Issued by War Office.) The favourite British pose of being a complete ass, altogether inferior to the "other fellow," i 3 pushed to the extreme point in regard to military matters. The British have a quaint humility in respect to their military skill. In a shame-faced kind of way they admit that their soldiers are brave; but for examples of military genius they always refer to the "other fellow." AT this moment of a great German offensive, one may be perhaps daring enough to attempt to say something on the other side; and to show that in this campaign since 1914, the German has beeu really surpassed in every point of military skill by the British. The difference is not always great, but where the difference is greatest is just in those points of invention, of new tactics, and new strategy, which show the better brain. Heresy it will seem; but the truth is—and the facts will prove it —that from 1914 to 1918 the British military system has shown itself superior to the German in resource and sagacity. Perhaps it would be better to say the British-French military system, for the two leaders of the Grand Alliance have been so closely co-operating that it is difficult to separate the achievement of nn» from the other. Consider one rp' one the main features of the great battle now raging. The warfare is in the air is its most dramatic feature. Everything of air tactics and strategy that the German is using to-day he copied from the British and French. It was the British who originated aeroplane attack with incendiary bullets on captive balloons, aeroplane escort of attacking infantry, aero, plane sallies at low altitudes on enemy trenches, and the various combinations of observing machines with fighting machines. The only 'original idea which the Germans can claim is the dropping of bombs on civilians in undefended towns. In the first battle of the Somme, when the British and French first disclosed their sky tactics, the Ger. man was absolutely driven out of the air. He had then to learn to copy all their methods; and he has originated none of his own. Another dramatic feature of the warfare of to-day is the complicated and terribly effective artillery curtain fire. This was evolved by the British-French command. It has been copied by the Germans, who have themselves contributed nothing new to artillery science during the war. Yet another leading feature is the tank, the armoured car on caterpillar wheels. This was purely British invention, evolved during this war for the needs of this war. It has been, if reports are correct, copied by the Germans. But its first appearance in the field was on September 15, 1910. A nation with any great military aptitude ought to have tanks by March, 1918.

When the considered history of the war comes to be written it will probably be concluded by impartial observers that Germany's successes have been due to four causes: (1) Her immense preliminary preparation prior to the outbreak of war; (2) her superior marshalling of man-power; (3) her free use of corruption in hostile and neutral countries; (4) her complete unscrupulousness with regard to the accepted laws of humanity. All four show a superior unscrupulousness, but not a superior ability in any military sense.

Germany.'a preliminary preparation was especially valuable because she intended to make war and other cations hoped to avoid war. Germany's manpower has been generously placed at the services of the military leaders because Germany has consistently enslaved her prisoners of war and all the helpless populations, whether friendly or hostile, within her reach. Manning her industries and her fields with foreign slaves, naturally she has been able to employ a very great proportion of German manhood in the fighting line, The unscrupulous use of corruptiofi and espionage in hostile and neutral countries has helped Germany's military effort in Russia and in Italy. Her complete unscrupulousness has enabled her to kill prisoners, the wounded, doctors, hospital nurses, in short, to attempt to annihilate her enemies untrammelled by any of the conventions of civilisation. But it has probably hindered still more her diplomatic effort, arid the final balance of it will be adverse to her national interests.

The traditions of the semi-miracu-lous military efficiency of Germany had been sedulously fostered by the Germans. It has gained a hold not only in neutral countries, but in the countries of the Grand Alliance. It exists strongly in Great Britain. But it does not bear examination in the light of facts. Look at the events of the war in the light of facts and it will be seen that it is in unscrupulousness alone that Germany reigns supreme.