NOTES ON THE WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17883, 31 August 1918, Page 8

NOTES ON THE WAR.

The ?Germans have evacuated Bapaumo under pressure, and the New Zealanders entered the town on Thursday. They are in retreat, therefore, at all points south of the Sensee and as far as the Oise. Noyon is in French hands, and Margin’s troops have grossed the river east of the city, capturing Morlincourt. Tho retreat, as far as the indications go, is being conducted in good order, though Sir Douglas Haig mentions that the enemy had to abandon large quantities of stores and a good many guns, owing, no doubt, to the close pursuit. Hie Australians are on tho west bank of the upper Somme opposite Peronne and Brie. The French have pushed east of Neslo, and further south have crossed the unfinished 1- Canal du Nord, and in this region the communique describes tho retreat as precipitate, ilie correspondents, perhaps with fairly, reliable indications to guide them, suggest that the enemy plans to defend the line of the upper Somme and the Tortille, hut one cannot forget that he had tho opportunity of holding this lino last year and refused it, preferring the more drastic and undoubtedly wiser retreat, to the Hindenburg line, which had been carefully prepared after an examination of all alternatives.

That tho enemy will fight delaying actions on the Somme lino is extremely probable, but if he rests there it will be because Foch is content that he should do so and not becauso of any inherent virtue in the line. The obviour weakness of any scries of positions in advance of that selected at tho end of 1916 is that it is open to precisely the same sort of attack as those that have so gravely shaken the German armies of late. The upper Somme of-

fers nothing like the defensive advantages of tho positions immediately in front of St Quentin, since it exposes a flank if the line runs by the Crozat Canal, and it forfeits the advantage of direct observation if the direct line between Ham and Oiauny is adopted. The whole problem, however, is complicated by the evident anxiety of the enemy to hold the Vcslo lino, where, by tho way, ho lias been attacking tho Americans heavily, and tho indication of his ultimate intention may come actually from this southern front. It is certainly not a time when one would care to offer any positive opinion on tho general subject, because tho enemy is obviously going to conceal his intentions if he can, and the availablo evidence is very contradictory Moreover, although encouraging reports are being telegraphed concerning tho condition of the enemy’s forces, it is difficult to believe that they are as demoralised as some of. tho messages suggest. ■

Probably when tho fuller accounts of tho Allied offensive operations are to hand it will be> found that tho telegraphed reports have not done justice to *he part played by tho Tanks, new and old. Brief descriptions have been published of the new light British Tanks, but so far nothing has been said concerning the latest French models. They possess, says) Mr G. D. Knox, n correspondent of the “ Daily News,” all tho familiar features of Tanks, their caterpillar wheels and armour being characteristic of the type. They are particularly striking because of their beautiful simplicity and flexibility. They are much more of the motor-car typo than their predecessors, the engine behind is an ordinary model. The driver-mechanic sits in front, completely encased in armour, with very narrow slits that enable him to see to drive. Any motorist, in fact, seeing the Tank for tho first time in his life could crank up. the engine and drive the car uitli easo. The Tank is able to turn on its. own centre os a pivot.. The gunner is installed in a sort of turret, m the middle of the Tank, and is armed either with machine-gun or with a gun. lhe turret turns, and the gunner lias slits m tho armour to enable him to view the general surroundings. The actual weight of tho Tank is six and- a halt tons. Officers and men are all enthusiastic over the model, Mr Knox says and, with the healthy pride that is characteristic of the most special arms, thoy regal'd it as tho very best that can be produced. Despite its small size, its crew of two \aro quite uncramped in movements.

The French model is thus not very different from the British. Both have a relatively high speed, both are lightly armoured and both limit tho crew to two. Tho Americans, also, are fashioning a very similar type, and it was* stated lately that arrangements are already in train by which the machines will bo turned out, by the hundred, ihero are none of tho peculiar difficulties hero that have delayed American woilc in the matter of aeroplane engines. The engine is of a familiar type andean be turned out in quantities. The methods of quantity production that the have perfected in the motor-ear industry can bo applied directly and are being; appliod. The weight is not excossivo, and the transport problem, apart from the sea voyago, solves itself. Of coiirso the small lank is bound to be put out of action more easily than the big one, but that, aiso, is a prolbiem receiving attention. No doubt lhe German claim that scores ot ranks were wrecked in tho fightiim north of the Somme had a basis of truth, but before they were wrecked the “whippets” had done what was required of them.

Tanks and aeroplanes \ have had a tremendous part in the summer fighting, and it goes without saying that they will have a far bigger part next year. Tho resources of German industry are to be put to the supreme test, and the optimist is'quite nt liberty if lid-feels so disposed, to' argue that that is where tho enemy will crack first. No one will contradictjiim, because no one is in a position to do so. There is a temptation sometimos to suppose, however,,. that the Allies have the field largely to themselves. That is by no means tho case, for the Germans have made remarkable efforts to keep pace with tho Allies in the production of aeroplanes and in the training of pilots. They have necessarily had to adopt a policy of caution and conservatism on occasion, but when a huge demonstration was needed in tho air (they were prepared to make it and to accept the inevitable losses. Hitherto they have questioned th'o value of Tanks, adopting them sparingly.