MODERN WARFARE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144855, 6 December 1915, Page 5

MODERN WARFARE.

ATTACKS ON THE GERMAN LINE. Writing on September 20, Mr.* Buchau said: — In the older wars, when the essence 4 of an. attack was speed, and continuity, hostile weather conditions would have been nearly fatal to success. Bat this war is different. Surprise is practically out of the question. It is a straightforward trial of strength and endnr- : anco. The Germans have spent 10 mouths in fortifying a series of positions. Each position is a network of trench lines, throe or more deep, with every kind of wire entanglement, and a number of redoubts manned by ma-chine-guns. Such a position is impregnable to the ordinary infantry attack. It can only be carried when the defence has been more of less completely do'Stroyod by. nn artillery bombardment. Even after the most successful Mpre- • par at ion” some paj*ts will bo left intact, and there the advance suffers losses.

There may have been a general failing back of the front, but one or two fortius will remain to enfilade the advance, and these have to bo dealt with on© by one. If many fortius are left, the advance sticks, and time is given to solidify the line, as happened iii May in Artois, In tho present incve/noox- the great French sweep northward of Champagne left certain details behind it, uhius were boijig, gathered in on Monday and Tuesday. STAGES OF THE ADVANCE. When tho first position is cleared, iho attack advances on tho second. Here the same methods must bo .used a« against tho first—bombardment, and then an infantry rush. In soruo parts of tho front wo are against the second position; in others it has been carried, and we arc facing tho third. Some people talk ps if there were an endless series of these German positions, stretching right away to the Rhino. That, of course, is unbelievable. Wo do not know their number. Bat we may be sure that it is strictly limited. Human endurance is limited, and fortified positions on tho Gorman scale are cot the work of a magician’s wand, but of long and arduous labour. Again, after each position the resisting power of iho enemy is weaker. He is losing hoavilv in guns and men, and oven though ho gets all the reinforcements ho ask© for, ho is suffering from the strain of the most harassing kind or war. Besides, a time will come when the successive attacks will lead to some sector being assaulted on both sides at once, and a withdrawal on a largo scale may be under tho mere threat. This is specially true of a front which has tho configuration of the German front in tho west. THE CAVALRY AT WORK.

By and by a position is forced in some sector and a retreat compelled to a lino considerable in thu roar. Tbo attacking force now uings its cavalry in to harass the enemy’s retirement, or ent the communication of the unbroken parts of his front. Then begins n withdrawal on p. great scale, and, under certain conditions, a rout. ' . It is a great tiling to have carried the German first position on so wide a front. But it is only a beginning. The Italians did the same thing on tho Isonso, and have been struggling for three months against tho second line. The succeos of the Allied offensive deponds on repeated efforts of equal strength with tho first. There is no need for feverish hurry. Victory is not a question of hoqrs or davs, Gut of weeks. Human effort could make tho German positions no stronger than they are; but if we are ablo to bring the right weapon against them, they will go. What we have done with tho'firat and second lines we can do with the third and the fourth, and tho nth. It means men and munitions, especially munitions. If these are forthcoming, this autumn may yet see that manoonvio battle on the grand scale for which tho world Has been waiting.

CONTAINING ACTIONS. Ji

In a great concerted movement like the present one many parts of a lino have to fight a remaining battle. They have the most difficult task of all. They have none of the exhilaration of an advance; tliov have very little, artillery support; their line may be none too strong. Their business is to hold the greatest number possible of the enemy, and it is generally a costly business. They are fighting for somebody else to win! The battalions in the main movement have earned great honour, and soon we shall all bo praising them by name. But let ns not ierget those others whoso service consisted in standing and waiting. They have captured no'position, hut without their quiet aid no position would have been captured.