ST. LO AND AFTER

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 260, 31 July 1944, Page 4

ST. LO AND AFTER

Meaning Of Break-Through IMPLICATIONS OF BATTLE A correspondent in Normandy states that the recent operation in the St. Lo area looks more like a real break-through than any manoeuvre since the landings. An entire enemy corps has been sent reeling back. If that be the case, British strategists have succeeded in outwitting Rommel, who has concentrated on the I Caen sector. This sector is the logical 1 line of Allied attack and for that reason has proved the toughest. What, then, are the effects of an Allied break through below St. Lo? The term “break-through” is somewhat vague and is capable of almost any interpretation. It is necessary to obtain a perspective which can act as a scale in operations of the nature undertaken in the St. Lo area. Almost any attack in force will produce some sort of a breakthrough. That is, the attackers will storm and break-through some part of the enemy defences. The attack as a rule starts with a bombardment. This prelude is a necessity in many cases, but it is undesirable because it suggests the intentions of the attackers. However, it softens up the immediate enemy area. If well done, penetration up to the useful range of tlie artillery is possible. This causes a break-through of, say, two or three miles.

Tanks and infantry take part in the initial over-the-top attack. The infantry hold the ground and deal with the enemy posts. The tanks search out a weak spot in the more distant defence areas which have not been so well softened. It is their task to pour through any weak spots and fan out on cither side to widen the breach. This second break-through may take place five miles behind the enemy front area or even more. Whether the attack will continue with added momentum depends now upon the ability of the attackers to continue the pressure. This means more tanks, more infantry, more equipment and supplies. Montgomery. it is said, has massed 4000 tanks for this very purpose. If these fail to arrive the momentum stops even without enemy interference. Expectable Setback. It is usually at this moment that the enemy counter-attacks. The attackers are caught on the hop. They may be forced to adopt the defensive. During this period they may have to give up some of the forward areas captured. This is what occurred last*week, south of Caen. It is a setback which must be accepted as the normal sway of battle between eloselj - - matched forces. In tlie St. Lo area it would seem that the two stages of the break-through have gone along “classic lines.” as one correspondent states. The pressure has been continued. Tanks have fanned out over five miles behind the enemy front area. This phase marks the fringe of what may best be termed the real break-through. The tanks and infantry with mechanized equipment .are by now within the enemy artillery areas. Enemy tanks, moreover, arc regrouping behind anti-tank defences. Unless powerful air support is forthcoming the front areas must be considered lost to the enemy. They may be regained only by mounting a very powerful counterthrust, which takes time, and which must be mounted in a moment of chaos very difficult to organize. i

If. then, the third phase </f the breakthrough can be instituted with ever-in-creasing pressure the enemy finds himself in situations many of which are tactically intolerable. (This situation has arisen ou the American front, 'with German divisions in danger of being cut off.) The enemy area of operations becomes unworkable. Counter-thrusts grow feebler. The day can be saved only by troops rushed from inland. Usually, however, the enemy finds it. more profitable to withdraw to another defended area where fresh troons are already installed, perhaps 20 or 30 miles from the original break-through. A Final Phase.

In this case the break-through would surge toward Avranches and Vire. If this final phase of tlie break-through occurs the Allies will dominate the Normandy battle area. All manner of useful tactical situations will arise by which enemy formations in areas east of the breakthrough may be levered out of well-pre-pared positions.

For example, if the break-through develops along the scale suggested there comes a time when the Caen sector is dangerously outflanked. Attacks will then be liable to develop against the German areas south of Caen in a manner calculated to sweep the German forces into the marshes and ditches of the Dives River. Unless Rommel wishes to lose another group of divisions, including many crack armoured divisions, a general withdrawal becomes imperative. Tlie line would then run from Avranches to Falaise. opening up excellent strategical and tactical opportunities for the Allies.—E.A.A.