GERMAN WAR MACHINE TRHOWN OUT OF GEAR

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 830, 7 October 1916, Page 9

GERMAN WAR MACHINE TRHOWN OUT OF GEAR

BRITISH SUPERIORITY ADMITTED. VON ARNIM'S DAMNING REPORT OF ENEMY FAILURE Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 7, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, October 6. Mr Philip Gibbs states that a report by General von Arnim, commanding the 4th German Corps against, the British front on the Somme in July, has fallen into our hands. It gives an analysis with impartial candour of our qualities. and of the weaknesses and failures of his own organisation and leadership.

Von Arnim confessed the utter failure of his war machine, and acknowledged that the British superiority is an ever-increas-ing strain upon the German organisation. The effect of our artillery mastery.and the Plying Corps' demoralisation of the enemy's command is admitted as a bitter fruit of experience.

Von Arnim says: —''The British infantry learnt much in the autumn offensive of 1915, and shows great dash in attack, to which their great'confidence in the overwhelming superiority of their artillery contributed. '.'The English showed great tenacity in defence, while the artillery registration and fire control was assisted by a wellorganised aerial observation.''

He recounts how far-reaching guns brought the German battle Headquarters under fire, causing the officers to flee, panicstricken.

The German artillery was much hampered by the intensity of the British fire, which also rendered enormously difficult the bringing up of reserves.

He confesses the utter failure of the German counter-attacks, which, he says, were without method.

The weight and numerical superiority of the enemy's airmen, and the fact that their machines were better than the. Germans, was disagreeably apparent, They were able to successfully fire on the German troops at a low elevation. He admits that the German equipment, ammunition, and reserves are very faulty. The German machine-guns are too heavy, and there is an insufficient supply of grenades. Von Arnim does not suggest that the food supply for the Army is insufficient, but there is difficulty to get tin 1 food to the front trendies.

All the other departments of the German organisation art found wanting.

The war machine had been thrown out of gear by the ferocity and continuance of the British assault.