CAMPAIGNS REVIEWED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 115, 20 May 1918, Page 5

CAMPAIGNS REVIEWED

"SPARRING" IN THE WEST.

BRITISH AERIAL SUPREMACY

ENEMY EXAGGERATION OF

BRITISH LOSSES

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.*

LONDON, May 18

The high military authority has explained that his statements might be regarded as the opinions of the General Staff as far as they can be published. The operations in France are of a purely minor character, and more or less in the nature of sparring. On the whole the balance is with us. The enemy have been extraordinarily good at infiltrating themselves and staying in the -position taken, often widening the breach until they are able to hold it. This comes from the exceedingly good brains of regimental officers and the subordinate staff. In this respect all through the war the 'Germans have been better than we have at this game. The chief feature has been the air work. Between May 9th and 15th we brought down 71 enemy machines in flames, as against 19 of ours - missing. We are infinitely better in the air this year than we were 12 months ago. Aviation played a very important part in the first phase, bringing the German offensive to a standstill.

In the tank attacks at Villers Bretonneux our seven tanks with a- crew of 20 put 400 Germans put of action and broke up the advance of a complete brigade. In reference to the German statement that the' 56th Division was almost wiped out, the fact was that the division lost 43 officers and 1425 men. The enemy reported that the Fourth Yorks Regiment was captured completely, when only 191 were missing, and that the Fifth Berkshire Regiment was annihilated, when four officers and 100 men represented the loss.

With regard to the position in France, the enemy are now boiling up for a big effort. If they wait a little longer they will probably be able to resume in the same strength as on March 21st. On. the other hand, the longer they wait the more time we have for preparation in co-operation with our Allies. The Germans are trying to belittle the American factor. They did the same with our "Contemptible Little Army." If they had nothing to fear from the Americans there was not any particular reason why the Germans should have staked everything on the present offensive. There is every confidence that the American Army will make good. General Sir Edmund Allenbys' main object in Palestine has been very greatly fulfilled. There was no intention to occupy much country east of the Jordan, but merely to ease the situation for the Arabs down south in smashing up the Hedjaa Railway.