GENERAL MAURICE'S REVIEW

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 144, 17 June 1918, Page 5

GENERAL MAURICE'S REVIEW

LENGTHENING OF ALLIED

LINE.

DRAIN ON ALLIED RESERVES

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, June 14

General Maurice, reviewing the situation at tbe end of the fourth phase of the- German offensive, says the Allied line has lengthened by 70 miles compared with the middle of March, thus necessitating 16 to 18 more Allied divisions than were in the line before the 1918 campaign began.

Therefore, apart from losses in the battle, the attacks have caused a serious drain on General Foch's_reserves. The enemy nave also increased their front, 'but not to the same extent, because they everywhere have the inside of the curve. The battles have brought the Germans within 40 miles of Calais, Boulogne, and th e mouth of the Somme, which has enabled them to keep the Hazebrouck, Bethune, and Amiens railway junctions under close fire

The front between Montdidier and the Marne is less satisfactory for the enemy. As long as th e French Giold the Aisne eastward of Compiegne, and cover the junction of the Aisne and the 'Oise, it will be difficult for the enemy to make a broad drive to Paris. Owing to the front of the attack 'being split up we have three vital points to guard—Paris, th e Channel ports, and communications across the

Somme. Revised estimates show Uhat the Crown Prince has employed at least 43 divisions from the total reserves at Hindenburcfs disposal on the "West front. There are therefore only 27 ieft out of the 70 divisions available ar. the end of May. General Maurice expresses th*» opinion that the attack on the Chemin-des-Dames was merely an experiment which was followed up because it opened successfully. He does not believe ttiat an advance to Paris across the Aisne was part of the orierinal plan. The German menace is still formidable, but not so formidable as at the end of May, to the heavy cost of the enemy's gains and the steady increase of the American forces.