THE TWO BATTLE FIELDS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 36, 10 August 1918, Page 5

THE TWO BATTLE FIELDS

REVIEW OF SANTERRE AND

TARDENOIS

FOCH'S PATIENT STRATEGY.

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, Bth August. The Germans hold the Vesle Jine in "considerable strength. Although it is' reported that they have withdrawn.their, heavy guns and some of their forces over' the Aisne no preparations for a general retirement are apparent. The Gerraaiis on the Franco-British front between Montdidier and. the sea have retired at various points in ■varying depths. This is probably explained by the desire to improve tßeir defensive positions. Their withdrawal on the Lys section was due to the marshy ground and the fact that our positions dominated them, but it is difficult to understand the slight retiremerit at Givenchy. It is probable, that the Lys retirement may be the preliminary to' a general withdrawal. On the other hand, the enemy's scheme may only be to strengthen his front between. Bailleul and the La Bassee Canal. The effect,; however, reduces the probability or danger of a renewed offensive. The Franco-British forces between Moreuil and Morlancourfc have made a substantial advance to a depth of nbout four thousand yards. It is reported that Moreuil, Demuin, Ablaincourfc, and . MorJancourt are in our hands, and also the heights west of Cerisy and south of Morlan:court. ■ . .

A review df the Marne offensive. reveals General Foch's remarkable patience and foresight. When the British sustained a severe reverse, and when. the. position on the -Western front was compromised, r General Foeh met one German blow after another, but refused to make a premature counter-offensive until' the psychological moment, when the Ger-. mans were exhausted ■ at Heims and after they had made their success on the Marne-iront. It required great firmness on Foch's part to disregard the danger of throwing the whole of his reserves into the great counter-thrust which proved successful. Had it failed the failure would have been disastrous to tiie French, and the Germans would have gained the Marne' without difficulty. The splendid response of America in throwing in troops who had only been partially tranied and were not accustomed to. war conditions reflected the greatest credit on that nation. We are justified" in saying that the situation is more favourable than it has been at any time since 1914. We have overwhelming evidence of Germany's 1 declining man-power, and can say that the end is in sight, because of the growing resources from America. Humanly speaking, if we hold fast we can achieve a. ei-.usmng victory over Germany in the field, while tho political and moral situation of the Central Powers may tend to hasten tho end.