JOFFRE'S TACTICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1916, Page 4

JOFFRE'S TACTICS.

In General Jofl're the French have a in whom they can justly place implicit confidence. Throughout the war lie has taken the measure of the enemy, and as soon as lie was in a position to be able to rely on his men and their equipment lie became supremely .happy. He has evidently made a thorough study of Germany's methods of warfare and has carried out a poliov of wearing down the enemy by safe and effective tactics, raeetine all their as-

s.iult; with adequate strength and consummate generalship. Had his reputation been only in the course of being made, the remarkably successful manner in which he has mot the furious attacks by the Germans ill the Verdun sector ■would alone have placed him on a high pedestal of fame; but Jie has already occupied that position, so that the additional laurels he has gained merely add lustre to his former achievements and mark him as the foremost military genius of France. It is given to few comjnanders-in-chief to obtain renown by defensive tactics, yet by playing a waiting game he has proved, if anything, a more brilliant leader than the commander who makes a meteoric dash and uses up his strength. It must be borne in mind that General Joffre had no ordinary task to carry out. The Germans decided to anticipate the big forward move by the Allies, and the Crown Prince, probably by his own insistence, took charge of the offensive operations. This scion of the Royal House of Germany had signally failed in all his other efforts during the war, and in all probability was confident that he could retrieve his reputation. It may safely be assumed that lie was given all the troops and munitions that were deemed necessary for the purpose. We know that the lives of the fighting men of Germany were .poured out like water; shells were used like rain drops in a storm; noxious gas and liquid fire aided the efforts of the Huns, 'but all in vain —nothing but complete failure. Of course the Kaiser's son could not be blamed and punished for incompetency, so the unfortunate veteran FieldMarshal von Haeseler, lot it was to serve as right hand and brain to an illustrious mediocrity, was made the seapegoat and recalled. The fact was that the Crown Prince failed to recognise that in General Joffre he had met fa.' more than his match. While this royal leader was hammering away at a rock, the astute French commander was acting on the wise determination not to employ a single man of his reserves more than was absolutely necessary He simply ''doled out" his forces, always taking good care that they were strong enough to break the German attacks. The German aim and hope was to compel tlie French to come out and fight, thereby weakening their salient and leaving it open to a grand assault, but Joffre knew their intentions and thwarted them. Even Colonel Repington admits that the French nave ample reserves, and the value of these, whea the time arrives to strike, will then be disclosed. It is as well w e should recognise that the war is not at all likely tn be won on any one front, but bv the combined efforts of the Allies on all the fronts. There can, however, be no question that General .ToH're's tactics will have a material bearing on the ultimate issue. France may well be proud of such a military genius, and the Allies will not grudge him the highest tributes of praise.