THE GERMAN RETREAT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16218, 24 August 1918, Page 6

THE GERMAN RETREAT.

DIFFICULTIES OF POSITION. FEATURES OF THE PURSUIT. LONDON, August 7. French experts emphasise the badness of the German position on the plateau, with the A’esle in front of them and the Aisn© behind them. The enemy is exposed to French tire at all points, and is often enfiladed, while all the four crossings of the Aisne between Fismes and Rheims, namely, Villens, Maizy, Pontavert and Berry an Bac, are under fire from French guns and aeroplanes. The opinion is expressed that, the enemy is preparing an offensive in order to relieve the allied pressure. The correspondent of the Times at American headquarters telegraphed last night;—The enemy,, desperately needing more time to evacuate his supplies, has fortified several positions north of the A r esle near Fismes. Two divisions are resisting, including a strong one from Rupprecht’s reserves, but the Americans continue to advance. They waded the A’esle at two points uhder heavy fire, their artillery making a vigorous reply. Reuter’s correspondent at American headquarters telegraphed on Tuesday;— General Mangin’s patrols are busy reconnoitring near the Aisne. The enemy’s intentions regarding the ridge between the Vesle and the Aisne can only be conjectured. The position is strongly protected on the eastern flank, and if it was carried from the west we would be uncomfortable under the fire of German guns across the Aisne. A certain delay, therefore, is possible, even though the enemy possibly does not intend to make a final stand here. Mr. James Campbell, correspondent of the Times, quoting from captured official documents, states that the Germans used up the class to compensate for their losses prior to. May 27. Men from hospitals have since been extensively re-employed. Reinforcements from Russia have ceased to arrive. The normal size of companies is reduced to 65, and even 40 are common, while there are some of 35. There is no doubt that the enemy’s losses have placed him in a had plight. The retreat to the Aisne was due to a real shortage of effectives. The Crown Prince was absolutely compelled to gain time to reconstruct his divisions. The military expert of the Times states that the enemy’s offensive spirit is slowly breaking down in the west, but there are no signs that he has lost faith in his defensive power. If the western offensives are abandoned the enemy will probably attack somewhere in the east. He has four alternatives. The first is to attack in Italy, which strategically belongs to the east front, freeing Austrians to serve in France or in Russia. The second is for Germany to use second-rate troops in Russia to crush the Nationalist movement, anticipating an allied push from Siberia. The third is to employ Tcrks to overrun Persia and create unrest on the Indian frontier. The fourth is to attack in force in Palestine, in the hope of reaching Egypt. The Allies ought immediately to save Baku, get command of the Southern Caspian, and assist General Marshall in Mesopotamia to establish communication with Russia through Hamadan, and so cut off the danger to India .