Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1918. SITUATION ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 166, 11 July 1918, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1918. SITUATION ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

ALL the military critics, while they warn the public against hoping that the Germans will be unable to make another terrific attack on 'the Western front, point ou,t that the German scheme has not by any means worked out as intended. Whatever else is uncertain., it is at least clear that something must have happened -to cause the prolonged lull. Every hour_ of this time is>, of course, utilised, in making preparations, but the fact that so much time has elapsed seems to indicate that the Germans realise 'that much more elaborate preparatory work than previously carried out is essential if definite results are to be gained. Every daj't, we are told, fresh American troops are ready to take their place in' the firing line, and therefore Germany's chances of success grow daily less and less, provided she us not able to draw more troops from the East, which, in the present state of affairs, is extremely unlikely. Meanwhile the British and the French, by means of local attacks, are taking steady toll of the enemy, besides improving the line, either for defensive purposes or for vantage points in major oporationls to come. If we recall the minor attacks of the past week or ten days w r e will find that the number of prisoners equal those that are generally taken in major operations. Another thing is chat the saicceeses have been won at small cost to the Allies, tso far as one can tell. It would be unwise (to conclude that the morale of the German! army has been greatly lowered, but it is reasonable to believe that some of the troops holding portions of the line, are far inferior to those generally found there. Ludendorff, of course, may be collecting his best troops for the next great dash and putting them through a course of intensive training in the rear, but the fact that troops are stationed in front line trenches, if. indeed, it is a fact, anldSthe morale of the best troops has not been lowered, is a pretty clear indication that the German reserves are not ample for all requirements. It is interesting to recall the operations of the past ten days. The attack by the British at Nieppe Forest on 28th June resulted in 429 prisoners being taken. The operations of the French at St. PierreAigle on 29th Juno ao:ounted for 1060 prisoners, and -Nosloy, on the same date, for 275 prisoners; those of 'the Americans at Vaux on Ist July yielded 450 prisoners; those of the British on, 4th July afc Le H'amcl, 1500 prisoners, of the French on the same date at Autreches of 1050 prisoners, and io-cHy it is reported that the French have ■taken a further 450 prisoners. DDiirinig this time the initiative rested solely I with the Allies, and more than 5000 i Germans became prisoners of war. In addition), it is stated that the Cermanfe in one or two of the operations suffered heavy major casualties. These losses will not worry the Germany if they feel that the time is being utilised to better advantage by way of preparation. But Ludendorff must be getting very anxious, for it must not be forgotten, that, despite their territorial gains, the Germans have not achieved any one of •'* the strategical aims which they had in view when they began their offensive campaign on 21st March last. So far, each successive phase of the campaign has shown them to bo a kittle less Strenuous l iVu the attack, and the Allies a little more prompt in bringing therh to ,» halt. During the month of June they launched only two attacks of - any magnitude, and: there have been none this month. The first attack in June, it will be remembered, was begun on the 9t.li inst., and was directed mainly against the Noyon to Montdidier sectors of the Allied front, but these petered out iro about a week, while the second, the luisuccesful asassault on 18th June on Rheims, lasted only one day. .Since that time the Germans have been strangely quiet, and the only conclusion , that can. be arrived at with any degree of certainty is that they feel that' greater preparations thani those previously made are essential if real success is to '.ome any | where within rewch. • ,