REVIEW OF WAR SITUATION

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16078, 7 December 1917, Page 7

REVIEW OF WAR SITUATION

| (Australian and H\Z. CJablo Aesociation.) (Received December 6th, 8 p.m.) LONDON, December C. A high. military authority states that there is little doubt that the enemy's attack at Cambrai was planned and supported by General von. Ludendorff. It was similar to our attack which broke through the famous Hindenburg line, which Ludendorff designed. The latter declared that if it ever were broken through he would begin battle manoeuvres which would bo successful. Ludendorff's plan was a thoroughly good one—as most of the German plans were. He carried out a simultaneous attack on both sides of the salient with. a massed attack on the centre. The attack on the Bourlon-Moeuvrcs front and the centre failed completely. Although the enemy's losses in these failures were extremely heavy, we could not say that ho had not made substangains because a bit of our flank having gone, supply to the men on this front became difficult, and necessitated some adjustment of the line. Possibly a slight withdrawal of our northern front might be necessary. The Germans may fairly claim to have checked our advance. The German claims to have capturcd 100 guns and 6000 prisoners may be taken with a grain of salt. Wo have captured altogether 650 German guns, of which 310 were captured in 1917, including 138 at Cam-1 brax. j

THE ITALIAN FRONT. Regarding the Italian front, the speaker said that there was creat talk by the Press of a coming German attack. Ho was unable to zoo any 6uch immodiate intention. The enemy's advanco had been definitely f becked.