War News.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 34, 4 May 1917, Page 5

War News.

HUGE GERMAN LOSSES.

DIVIfSIONiS REDUCED TO HALF STRENGTH. LONDON, May 2. ' The “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent on the French front says the estimate of IoU,OOO German casualties in the present fighting is far below the reality. The number is probably double that. When the offensive started there were 143 German divisions on the West front and 7(i in Russia, Rouraania, and Macedonia. There was a general reserve of 44 divisions for the West front, each division being about half its former strength, consisting of three regiments of infantry totalling 7500 men, 500 in the machine gun section, 200 cavalrymen, nine to twelve batteries of artillery employing 2000 men, and SOO pioneers. The Germans’ reserve on the West front therefore did not exceed half a million.

Between April 9th and 27th 32 fresh divisions came into action on the Anglo-French front, and more than half of the 32 divisions were so severely punished that they had to be withdrawn and reconstituted. The German reserve is now 130,000.

These figures do not need comment. They show that our men have not died in vain. The German army is still formidable in numbers and is lighting desperately, but it has fallen in quality, armaments, and supplies, and is now aproaehing the day when it will be unable to fill the gaps in the falling ranks.

SINKING OF THE BALLARAT.

THE ADMIRALTY 'S ACCOUNT. LONDON, May 2. Tho High Commissioner reports: — Tho Admiralty states that the sinking of tho Ballarat recalls the stories of tho Southland, Tyendarus, and Birkenhead. The Ballarat was the first troopship carrying Australians to England since the unrestricted submarine warfare began. The men were mostly from Victoria. It was Anzac Day, and the officers were planning a memorial service. When the ship was struck the alarm was sounded. There was no confusion, and the men fell into their respective stations. During the voyage the men had been told stories of the behaviour of the troops of the Southland and tho Birkenhead. The men who had been condemned to boat drill blessed it, and quickly took their places. They instinctively knew that the Navy would turn up, and it did. Destroyers and trawlers appeared as if by magic. The ship began to settle, but did not sink for four hours. While waiting for the boats the men sang and played cards, and mostly smoked. The nurses aud medical officers remained with their patients until they were safe in tho boats. All tho pets were saved except some cats. There wore no heroics and no fuss, but much humour, with absolute efficiency, wlrch was due partly to the training and trust in the officers’ skill in handling the ship. It was not altogether courage or bluff, but British grit.