THE CAMPAIGNS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17877, 24 August 1918, Page 8

THE CAMPAIGNS.

.•Ems Allies are keeping the enemy movi tag to some purpose, and -thedr unrelenting pressure is bringing results of obvious importance. Naturally the capture of Lassigny bulks big in the communiques, but the fall of Lassiguy it only an incident in a large series , of movements that may yet produce 'far more momentous changes in the | general situation. So far the Germans ; have been able to say that their retreat j.ttom the Montdidier-Soissons line was • voluntary one, a mere readjustment .'ol their front, extensive, perhnp.*, but 'desirable in order to facilitate a more effective, reply to the Allied offensives. , iJJut the later stages of the retreat fear© been carried out so obviously Under French pressure that this claim , ao longer rings true, and a stage has 4 keen reached at which the Germans \ must either call a halt and offer a firm : resistance or else concede the Allies j»trategio advantages that will be undeniable. Between Albert and Noyon |t%e Germans might find a Bound deftensive line through Ghaulnea, Nesle, i and the big bill north-east of Lassigny. jßut both flanks of that line are now threatened, by the British about Albert and by the French approaching I Noyon, The position at Albert, obvilously, may be changed importantly at I «ny moment. The British north of the i Anore have reached Achiet le Grand, 'only three miles from Bapaume, and 'have imposed on the enemy the task i of holding a highly irregular firont. Clearly the enemy must not only stiffen his resistance, but must also lahnoh a strong counter-offensive if ho '.desires to maintain his hold on Albert or on the Thiepval ridge and so secure the northern flank of the AlbertNoyon line.' On the other flank the advance of Humbert and Mangin in 00-operation has developed so formidably that Noyon is and here, again, there is an urgent call for the enemy's reserves. In addition to guarding against the dangers on the flanks, he must take precautions, also, i against a possible enterprise by the i eager Australians and Canadians in i the centre. It ia a situation calculated AJ»» -:;ta* the enemy** resouroe*, and '.■n

view of tho severe hammering to which his divisions have been subjected during the past month be may well hesitate to commit himself to the natural counter-blow. There is still another aspect of the situation to bo considered, because although Mangin is presumably employing Iris reserves in the thrust between the Oiso and the Aisne, the French and Americans on thoVesle and about Rheims have by no means exhausted the possibilities of the offensive on their sector. Probably Marshal Foch is quickening the pace of the fighting in order to anticipate the return to the front of tho German divisions that bad to bo withdrawn for repairs. These ought to bo ready for service again early next month, when, moreover, the enemy will have bad time to complete the reorganisation rendered necessary by tho Allied coun-ter-offensives.