The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. THE CAMBRAI OPERATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1917. THE CAMBRAI OPERATIONS.

The daringly conceived and brilliantly executed operations in the vicinity of Cambrai may be counted as worthy or the best traditions of the British Army, Commenced with a surprise attack under new conditions, being unpreceded by the Usual violent artillery bombardment, its success was as remarkable as the means employed, and though the offensive has settl•■<! down to ding-dong fighting, the effcci cannot fail to be far reaching. Nothing more weird in the history of warfare has ever been recorded than the appearance of a fleet of tanks pressing onwards over all obstacles and clearing the way for the infantry. The attack developed on a front of about thirty miles between St. QJuentin and the Scarpe, the main and most successful thrust being delivered south and southwest of Cambrai. After capturing tli» village of Havrincourt oujf forces pushes on 'about sis. l miles to a pTftiit immediate, ly south of Cambrai. A portion of the troops moved along the southern bank of the Western branch of the St. Quentin canal, securing crossings at Masnieres (about four miles south of Cambrai) and capturing Marcoing, Neuf Wood and the west ridge. They also secured a double line of trenches on the eastern bank of another canal that runs to the north-east past Cambrai, so that the British forces became firmly established on the south of Cambrai and started closing in on the west of tho town, while to the south we progressed along the whole line of the St. Quentin canal to St. Quentin. From Cambrai the British front slopes towards Arra6, and here it was that important sections of the Hindonburg line were captured be. tween Bullecourt and Fontaine-les-Crol-silles; thus, apparently capturing the main German trench systems along tho greater part of the front, passing right behind the Hindenburg line. There can be no question that the element of surprise facilitated very greatly the success of the operations, made possible by the tanks proving an effective substitute for a preliminary bombardment, and that they did their work well is proved by the complete success of the advance. This was the answer to the German jeer that the tanks were a failure. At this time of the year (the winter season on the Western front) it is not to be expected that an offensive advance can be other than slow, especially as the enemy lias rushed forward all possible reserves, but the terrible inroad inta the German man power through the huge losses inflicted must have a demoralising effect. In the main, all the powerful coun-ter-attacks made by the enemy have been crushed, and though the fighting sways backwards and forwards, progress is still being made, while the capture of over one hundred guns is certainly helpful, though in this respect the French were twice, as successful in their recent operations on the Aisne. The British salient has been thrust forward live miles into the euemv's lines towards

Cambrai, forming a right angle, with its northern arm running nearly due eas* and west from a point four miles west of Cambrai to Queant, representing a big breach in the Hindenburg line. The desperate fighting that has taken pl'.ice for possession of the Bourlon Wood and the village on the northern edge is due to the importance of the position which prevented an advance towards Cambrai along the western and northern sides of the river valley, and barred the approach to the Arras-Cambrai road. By securing, Bourlon, the back of the enemy's resistance may bo broken. It is quite possible a thrust may be made threatening Douai, b\it in whatever direction the next offensive is made we may be sure that it will be effective, for Sir Douglas Haig never moves until he is confident of gaining his objective. If Germany, as is stated, made the raid on Italy with the object of softening the British pressure on the West front in consequence of troops being drawn off to help the Italians, she committed a serious tactical error, as she has doubtless by this time discovered. Any help given by the Anglo-French forces to Italy has in no way weakened their offensive and defensive strength elsewhere, and now that the Italians have recovered their balance, they may, with the Allies' aid, deliver a decisive blow on the enemy that will affect the general war situation. The fighting at Cambrai has been an object lesson that the Germans may well take to heart, but it is only the prelude to more determined efforts in which the full power of the AngloFrench armies will be exerted to defeat the enemy The relative positions of the opposing forces have been completely reversed. It is Germany that is now the \wder-dog, and though she is still game, her fighting strength is waning while that of the Entente Powers is at its zenith.