GERMAN GAINS IN THE WEST.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 128, 30 May 1918, Page 5

GERMAN GAINS IN THE WEST.

tt, V? S j lOnS line acro3S our ma P the Allied positions before the Germans be<ran their big drive on March -?3 The shaded poraon shows the territory captured in the three successive drives inaugurated since that date. An interesting ieature o! tne map is its full delineation of the railway systems of France. The point of the Amiens salient, the map shows, almost cuts the main line running north and south. German guns now command the line, but the smaller railways behind it maintain the connection, though the necessity of resorting to them is a serious handicap to the Allies The Germans must almost reach the coast before they cut the last oi these lines, at Abbeville. In the Messines offensive the points aimed at were Bethune. and, even more. Hazebrouek. lunctions through which supplies flow from the Channel ports to all the British line for miles to the north of them. The capture of either would be a serious blow to the Allies for as the map shows, it would force the nunitionment of the annie- by long, roundabout and insufficient mean.-. It will'also be noted that with the present position of the lines the Germans, in moving troops from one part of the line to another have to travel a snorter distance than do the Allies to accomplish the same result. It is apparent that the capture of any of the junctions named would considerably increase this handicap of the Allies. In the new offensive the railway lines running parallel to the old front have been lost, but the Allies still have good conunuiiieations in their rear