NOTES ON THE WAR GABLES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17090, 23 August 1917, Page 5

NOTES ON THE WAR GABLES.

By Shjzapnel.

THE WEST FRONT

Developments of tho attacks that wero reported yesterday arc recorded in this morning's cablegrams. Except in one or two notable respects it is the Germans that are aggressive, their efforts being confined, however, to counter-attacks against tile British and tho Frcnch. North of the Aisno they are still striving to wrest the points d appui " which tho French hold. On the Corny plateau the Germans attacked at three points. They were twice thrown back with severe losses, and another attempt westward of Hurtebise Monument failed equally badly. On the Verdun sector, west of the Mouse, the loss of Avocouit Wood, whence the Germans threatened, and covered with guns concealed in tho woods, the AlJioux or Boureilles-Emes road must have seriously annoyed them, as during tho night an energetic and violent counter-attack was mado to recover the lost position. Tho value of tho position lies in the fact that it affords tho French excellent cover for concealing their concentration for a further advance, and, with Mort Homme in their possession, their guns can be brought forward for the purpose of assisting attacks upon Malaneourt and Bethincourt. A German message claims that after the initial successes tho French advance was held up with vory heavy losses, but the capture of 5000 unwounded prisoners, including 116 officers, is the serious matter which tho Gorman claims aro intended to cover up. As the Germans have adopted tho plan of holding the front lines very lightly, tho capture of so many men and officers in a few hours indicates that their defeats occurred not on tho first' lino trenches but on tho second line, and even as far back as the third line. As the French advanced on such a long front it also indicates that in some places the German retreat was rapid—notably so on the east eide or ■ right bank of the Meuse.

Ihe advance of tho British on the St. Quentin-Havrincourt sector south-east of Epehy must have causcd the Germans alarm, for they mado somewhat claborato preparations for a counter attack. In spite of tlieir use of liquid fire, tho attacks were iepulsed and tho ground held. It- is evident that the British advanco has. imperilled the Germans in their stronghold on tho Hargicourt Heights and Woods. Sir Douglas Haig, referring to the repulse of this counter attack, draws attention to tho British position north of Hargicourt in terms which suggest that the Germans made tlieir attacks on a front wider than that along which the British successfully operated when they captured the enemy trenches.

Where tho British have been aggressive is at Lens and south-east of Ypres. On the latter front they have made a small but important advance along th» YpresMenin road. Attacks in that direction against tho strongest German positions between Ypres and th« Lys are being made to remind tho Germans that, however strong those positions ar>3, it will be dangerous to hold them lightly if they hope to check tho advanco of tho Allies north and northeast of "E'prcs.

According to to-day's messages, Lens is tho chief storm ccntro on tho British front. West of tho town tho Canadians left their trenches just in time to meet the Germans leaving theirs, and a desperate soldiers' battle took place in "No Man's Land." Tho Germans fought fiercely, but, after a severe bayonet and bomb contest, were compelled to seek cover, the Canadians agaip maintaining their name for > unfailing valour, as they d:d when they recaptured their guns after the great gas attack- at Houltliulst Wood, and many times sinoe. Tho British-Canadian forces are closing in upon Lens. Now that Hill 70 has been captured and held, tho advanco from the northwest is possible, and is being made in conjunction with other attacks north-east-ward to tho south and on tho wqst. Why such direct attacks as those on the west and north-West are being mado on the ruined town, with its numerous machine gun positions hidden amongst the debris of 0 destroyed houses, is not plain, since an advanco northwards from Meiieourt or a further stroke at Bois Hugo and Cite Auguste might force the Germans either to stand siege or abandon tho town.

THE OTHER ACTIVE THEATRES. i.v ln r! h f. two other active theatres of war, tho Italian and tho Rumanian fronts, no further important advances have been made either by the Italians in their great battle, or by the enemy in Moldavia. South of the Oituz tributary in Rumania Marshal von Mackensen. appears to be gradually securing- the lino of the Sereth, from the confluence of the Oituz to Braila, but he is paying dearly for his successes. North of the confluence the Russoßumanians are holding their lines as satisfactorily as can be expected. Matters should be improving for our Allies on that front, for, instead of receiving the reinforcements which he greatly requires, Mackensen its being faced with a need for the withdrawal of troops from that theatre to meet the offensives in France and on the Isonzo front. The Italians, though not making deep advances on the Tsonzo front, are crushing the enemy at two very important points—one noith ol Gorizip, in the neighbourhood of Monte Santo, and the other north of Hermada Hill, north of Duino or the coast. Tho report that tho Austrian losses number 30,000 indicates the severity of the pressure that is being exerted against them.