THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17079, 31 January 1916, Page 6

THE CAMPAIGNS.

Thk German offensive in the west is apparently developing on fresh lines this year, though the movement is Admittedly too young to be defined very positively. Hitherto the enemy's plan has been to concentrate strong forces on one sector and to trust to the weight of men and guns to make a breach, but expevienco has shown that the results of this policy are too small to warrant the heavy price that has to be paid for progress, and it was quite to be expected that when opportunity ouered a different system would bo adopted. There have been hints in the comments of the German military writers of the probability of such a change. Provided a sufficient concentration is possible to make an effective broach, they say, the wedge is emphatically the right formation, for when the point has penetrated the enemy's front the breach is automatically widened as the offensive proceeds. But in the western theatre this plan has invariably failed, whether tried by the Germans or the Allies, and consequently the. writers are prepared to find that the policy of the single blow is temporarily abandoned. It is quite possible that we shall find in the present offensive proof that the German critics have not been Writing at large on the subject. Already attacks have been attempted or delivered at many points along the front. There was an abortive movement at Nieliport, another at Dixnvude, another against the Ypres salient, another in the vicinity of Armentioves, and others, more important still, on the Souehez-Arras sector, on the Albert sector and south of the Somme. If the suggested explanation of the German plan is correct, the enemy will continue the apparently isolated attacks, the intention being to deliver a series of blows against the Allied front, either simultaneously or in puch quick succession that no redistribution of reserves is possible. If one of these attacks develops successfully it will be followed up energetically, and. ultimately the offensive will be concentrated at the most promising point. The area for the offensive is well chosen, because a redistribution of troops is unquestionably proceeding in Artois and Picardy, the French forces being withdrawn to make way for new British divisions. If the Germans achieve no other success, they will at least hinder this important movement, and doubtless they hope to discover a weakness in the defence where the two armies are imperfectly linked. The news from the other theatres is scanty and of small consequence. Wo are told that as the result of the action on January 23, in which the New /;ealanders took part, the Senussist tribesmen were scattered and compelled to retreat, 60 that for the time being the danger that was threatening the western frontier of Egypt has been removed. The news from Mesopotamia shows that although no progress is being made by the column that was advancing to the relief of General Townshend, the delay Is giving the British time to concentrate reinforcements. Indian troops that were withdrawn from France have arrived at Basra and are now in the field where they can most profitably And most conveniently be employed.