PROGRESS OF THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3170, 22 August 1917, Page 4

PROGRESS OF THE WAR

A truia' remarkable example of force of habit is the German official statement. that "the battle of Verdun is going in our favour." Tho facts are stated clearly antT in detail in a French communique and in a supplementary report from a, correspondent at French Headquarters. Attacking on a front of about eleven miles on both sides of the Mouse, tho troops engaged speedily gained their objectives, advancing at somo points to a depth of a mile and a quarter into the enemy front. More than four thousand unwounded prisoners were taken and the ground captured by the French includes that part of Mort Homme which was in tho enemy's hands and other famous positions which havo been tho object of endless fighting. These aro the leading facts of tho battle, which, according to tho Germans, turned in their favour. In the speed with which it was driven home and the importance of the results secured the attack is an impressivo proof of the ability of the Allies to extend their offensive and increase the terrific strain already imposed upon tho enemy.

The interesting fact is disclosed to-day that in tho latest British attack in Flanders a number of "tanks" preceded instead of accompanying or following up tho infantry. In this way tho Germans were dislodged at minimum cost from a number of fortified buildings. No doubt the. procedure followed on this occasion was mado possible by tho open character of the ground attacked, and tlio fact that it was effectively dominated. Extended opportunities of utilising "tanks" in the same way should arise as tho offensive in Flanders develops. * * * *

At time of writing not much detail news of tho Italian offonsivo has comc to hand, but tho early reports available show that it has opened with brilliant success. The attacking armies have broken into tho enemy positions along a great part of tho Isonzo front, and captured eight thousand prisoners and a considerable amount of material, including guns and machine-gun*. Towards tho north tho Italians have crossed the Isonzo north of Anhovo (about seven miles north of Gorizia) so extending their hold on a mountain terrace on which they closely threaten vital enemy communications. Apart from tho general statement that the enemy first line has been crossed between Plava and tho sea—a distance as tho crow flies of about 18 miles—not much is disclosed at the moment of writing about progress on other sections of the front, but Vienna reports indicate that tho Italians aro concentrating against Mount Hermada, tho fortified plateau standing, a couple of miles north of tho Adriatic coast, before which the Italians camo to a halt in their offensivo of last May.

Hermada- is ono of tho most formidable strongholds flanking and commanding tho coast road to Trieste. Its summit is about a thousand feet above sea level, and it commands an area of marshland towards tho coast which, constituted a formidable obstaclo to the Italian advance in May. Assisted by _ tho "bombardment of British monitors from the sea the attacking troops contrived to pass tho marshes, and got into position for an attack on Hermada from tho south-west. On that occasion, however, their utmost efforts carried them no further than the lower slopes of tho platca,u, and as reports stand Hermada is still unconquercd. It is likely enough that the Italians arc concentrating against this stronghold and other obstacles to an advance along tho coastal route, but they aro not necessarily bent upon an extended advance in the south, or on any other section of tho front m the immediate future. It is especially true in tho conditions of tho Italiancampaign that progress towards victory is measured not so much by the conquest of territory as by tho progressive exhaustion of tho enemy. Sinco 1910 tho Italians have been engaged in methodically breaching what has' been described as tho most formidable system of defences ever elaborated. In tho last offcnsivo tho breaching process was carried to dangorous lengths, from tho Austrian standpoint, and tho Austrians indicated their recognition of the fact by launching a series of sustained and powerful counterattacks, which involved them in heavy losses, but did not serve their intended purpose. Whatever its detail objects may bo the present Italian offensive must be regarded as intended in its general conception to maintain and intensify theso conditions; The methodical development of this policy at tho present stage is obviously calculated not only to accentuate-the defensive problems of the Austrians, but to advance tho general interests of the Allies by attracting additional enemy forces to tho Italian front. * * * *

The latest news from Rumania is anything but good. _In Western Moldavia, in tho vicinity_ of Ucna and elsewhere, the Rumanians, according to a Russian official report, aro being driven back under the pressure of persistent enemy attacks. Tho outlook would bo decidedly unpromising but_ for tho prospect now opened that increasing pressure of attack in tho Western theatre and in Italy may compel tho enemy to relax his efforts against, Rumania and Russia.