WAR REVIEW.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17788, 13 May 1918, Page 4

WAR REVIEW.

WEEK’S OPERATIONS.

GERMAN STRATEGY IN THE WEST'

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 12.

Tho following telegraphic review of tho military operations has been received by tho Governor-General from tho Secretary-of State for tho Colonies covering operations during the week ending May 2:— Since tho enemy’s drastic repulse on. tho Lys sector on April 29 only minor operations have been carried out, mainly before Locre, west of Morlancourt, and on tho southward arm of the Ypros salient. All were repulsed heavilyOthcnviso, apart from raids and local shelling of the back areas, the week has been ominously quiet. The position now is that the Germans nro determined to concentrate every availablo unit in one enormous offensive. They arc draining their country dry to force a decision before it is too late, while the Entente is so confident that, given tho choice of a small immediate American army for defence or of waiting till reinforced by a complete powerful, self-supporting * American army, it has chosen the latter. To the sledgehammer uses of masses by tho enemy, tho Allies are opposing the strategy of meeting the blow with tho smallest force capable of standing up to the shock, while keeping the strongest reserve possible. Tho troops on tho wings are permitted to give ground within limits whenever the enemy has been made to pay a greater price than tho ground is worth, tho whole aim being to reduce the enemy to such exhaustion that the reserve at tho right moment can restore the situation. In tho present operations the British hnvo played tho part on the wings and nave withstood many times their own weight of enemy masses and have retired slowly, exacting the fullest price. Meanwhile General I'och holds the bulk of tho French in reserve, sending units only to points hard ])ressed. Tins strategy has been justified, in that three wqpks have seen the enemy brought to a standstill without a single strategic objective being fulfilled and witli losses so immenso that his reserve is in danger of proving inadequate to his policy. Tho German commander, seeing how nearly he is to delivering himself to the Allied reserve, lias been compelled to accept temporary failure and to call a halt. His position is tactically exposed in two dangerous salients on waterlogged ground. His countrymen ai;e dangerously dissatisfied at the immense price paid for tho failure to terminate their sufferings, and his allies are on the verge of quarrelling daily and exhibit their growing dislike anil distrust of their taskmaster, who robs them of lives and food. His reserves are nearing complete exhaustion. Those of the French and British are still in being, while tho American preparations develop and the time draws closer when defeat is inevitable. Therefore the enemy must renew tho offensive. His preparations proceed feverishly, but as it takes months properly to organise such an offensive, lie must ho satisfied witli what he can do in weeks. We may therefore expect a renewed furious onslaught before long, as tho enemy is so committed to his strategical plan. We may await his main blow on tho Arras-Amiens front, while necessity compels him to try to improve his position in the Lys sector. The Allies may have complete confidence in the result. For the enemy the issue is a desperate endeavour to avoid defeat: for the Allies the issue is only fchat. of victory deferral. The roming battle may be a repetition of Verdun on a larger scale, and if both sides bo exhausted, the Allies have vast powers of recuperation, while Germany has drained her resources already.

MILITARY ATJTHORIY’S VIKAY.

THE MIDDLE EAST.

Australian and N.Z, Cable Association. (Received May 12, 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 10.

A high military authority states:— Nothing of great importance has occurred in France. The attack on the La Clytte-Voormezcelo front was merely local. The Germans have put in a considerable number of fresh divisions on the Somme and in Flanders since last week, and it is almost certain that they will continue their attacks on tho heights in Flanders, and will also endeavour to capture the high ground in the direction of Amiens. Bad weather began twenty-four hours before we entered Kerkulc, and prevented us from capturing moro 'Turks. Our transport operations are fraught with considerable difficulties. The operations have had a good effect on the Persian border tribes, many of whom are now! co-operating with us. General Allenby’s decision to retire to tho original bridgeheads east of the Jordan was not influenced by the loss of nine guns, hut was entirely due to the fact that his operations had been delayed when success depended on the rapidity of operations. He could not obtain the results at which ho aimed.