THE FLANDERS SITUATION.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14861, 7 September 1918, Page 5

THE FLANDERS SITUATION.

ENEMY'S PROBABLE LINE

(.Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

London, Sept. 5

General Maurice writes:—The shortest line the enenly can hold in Flanders nyis from Ypres, Wytschaete and.Mes-

sines Ridge,. Hill^63, Neuve Chapelle, and Xahßasieev, /Tffey ; -; a&&-' nearly on this line now, and.will-probably try to hold it, though; thej; may prefer to relinquish the Lys valley and;take^a stand on the Aubers ri3ge. This is a short front, of thirteen miles.

In the spring of 1917 the enemy had 160 divisions on the West front, of which 110 were in the line and 50 in reserve. In March, 1918, they had 150 divisions in the line, so it will be possible for them to make considerable savings if time is given to them to re-sort their troops. We have not yet turned the main north-south sector of the Hindenburg Line, which begins east of Moeuvres. To do this we must take Douai.

Presumably the enemy's immediate plan is to hold the Sensee Canal, covering Douai, and go back to the Hindenburg Line in front of Cambrai and St. Quentin to the Chomin-des-J)ames.

There are still several Allied armies which have not yet had their say, so Foch has the opportunity of further improving. the situation.