SOMME STRESS

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 602, 28 November 1916, Page 9

SOMME STRESS

• ALLIES' EQUAL SHARE. Under the Allies' artillery fire and infantry aressure on the Somme the average life of a German division as a unit fit for present service is about 19 days. More than two new German divisions have had to be bsought into the front line every Aveek since the end of June to replace those which Avere shattered or exhausted. The figures shoAv — much more clearly than does the mere extent of ground won — 'how steadily and swiftly the Allies are moving towards the accomplishment of the chief immediate aim of strategy — the destruction, as a fighting force, of the enemy armies in the field. Of the 53 German divisions engaged on the Somme front from July 1 to September 8, it is found that 28 were used wholly against the British Army, and 20 wholly against the French. Four others were used, first against the French, and afterAvards against the British ; and one division Avas used first against the British and afterwards against the French. On September 8 seA T en German divisions were facing each of the allied armies. The figures slioav what every English and every French soldier would wish to see — how evenly the two comrade armies are sharing between them the burdens and achievements of the struggle. At one time or another one of the two may have more to shoAv in the Avay of ground Avon. The other, in turn, may have more to show in the way of enemy forces annihilated. But both are interdependent, the achievement of either is the achievement of both. The men of neither army seek for themselves any separate glory in the tremendous conflict Avhich German generals themselves have announced to be the decisive battle of the war.