WAR REVIEW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12406, 26 August 1918, Page 6

WAR REVIEW.

WEEK’S OPERATIONS.

[Prn Pn,Rsa Association.] , , August 26, il:e tollowiug official .summary of fclic w;ir opera, uoiik him been received hv file -Aetiugl nnii' Minister from tlu> Ministry ol Inform;it ion, I London, August. :

Some people make invidious comnarisoiis ns to tho extent of (ho Gonnan oftonsivo of March 21. compared with ho Anglo-]' rr.ncli attack on the Smnnio front ol August. 8. This shows rt wrious misunderstanding. )Vhy ibe Germans were ablo to advance more Ilian thirty miles in ono week war* because they had overwhelming numbers, amounting to three to one, with vwv largo reserves available to continue the advance after tho initial assault had broken our lines. Our attack of August 8 was on a ranch smaller scale, and the Allied superiority on tho actual trout was not nearly equal to that of the Germans on March 21. while the available reserves were not superior to those which the enemy could resist with. Despite those disadvantages, the A Hies on August 8 advanced nearly half the distance of the Germans on Maich -1, on a frontage much loss than half that- covered by the German attack, and accomplished it despite strong German reserves, and with fewer casualties during the whole operation than the number of German prisoners taken, whereas the German casualties on -March 21 wore exceedingly heavy. , Ti'o now have little to learn, therefore, in tactical method from tho enemy, and ho was again completely surprised Goth by the attack of tho Tenth French Army, between tbe Oise and tho Aisne, and by that of the Third British Army south of Arras, which speaks volumes for the present tactical method and efficiency of the staff work. It is still too early to foretell .what tho effect of the advance between the Aisne and the Oise will have on the situation, but it evidently seriously threatens the enemy positions north of’the Aisne. and, if continued, will outflank the entire enemy lino on tho Veslo. besides threat] oning the lino west of the Oise. Tho total number of prisoners taken in the throb days from August IS to 20 was more than 10,000.

North of tho Somme the enemy continues gradually retiring from tho Serve salient. Our troops have now advanced to practically tho Albert-Arras railway. This position threatens the right Hank of the enemy line on tho Ancro, and tho, important Thiepval ridge, which is of great strength. Tims the recently-shown desire, of the. cnemv to withdraw from salients and straighten his front may forebode a more extended withdrawal, such as that of last year to tho liindonburg line. There is no evidence, though, of this, but the heavy Gorman losses and the present serious shortage of men make such a- retirement not improbable. Nothing is happening in Italy, but it is worthy of’note that the Austrian losses on tho British front from Juno 15 to August 15 are estimated at 20,200, whereas tho British casualties More only 2544.

Air lighting was less intense this week, There was a temporary concentration of largo German air forces in the Amiens sector, operating at a considerable height. Notwithstanding this there was no .slackening in the activities of British airmen, and a. heavy toll of German machines was taken at relatively .slight cost. Successful bombing operations wore carried out in Flanders, Belgium and over Germany. There was a continuous series of raids on. Zoehruggc, Bruges, Ostend. Middlekirk, Westcndo and the coastal area. Over 33 tons of bombs were dropped, arid many direct bits were obtained, resulting in fires, which were confirmed by photographs. At Varsonea aerodrome six machines were fired and one hangar demolished. During the air lighting here the enemy machines were destroyed and eleven driven down. Four British machines were reported missing." The R.A.F. Independent Force successfully carried out-bombing raids into-Germany, attacking stations and sidings at Thionvillo, Offcnbnrg. Sariebonrg, 'Mannheim; enemy ■ aerodromes at Bonlay. Frihdorf, ■ Buhl, Morhange, etc., and blast-furnaces-at Yolklingin. During heavy fighting four cnemv machines were destroyed and two driven down. Three British machines failed to return. On the British sector on the western land front’British airmen destroyed (luring the week 100 enemy machines, while 38 wore driven down. Forty-four British inachiues wore reported missing. An immense amount of photographic • reconnaissance rind coiyiter-battery work was carried] out-.. No sensational achievements• were reported from the Italian, Balkan and Palestine fronts, hut British airmen were busy throughout-, the week, dropping a considerable weight, of bombs, destroying live enemy machines, and driving down eight. • •• ■

Mr Hoover, American Food Controller, before going back Uv America,, expressed satisfaction with the results of the conferences of the Allied Food Controllers. He said: “The great transportation problem within the next, year is to move sufficient American troops to Europe to give an overpowering strength against any forces tho Gormans may be able to bring to bear. In order to accomplish this economy in consumption is imperative in all Allied connirie.l ,On thci other hand the danger of privation is new past. In the United -States we'need to exercise continued rigid economy iu consumption so that we may meet tho increased demands from Europe,.and enable us to carry over from this more abundant harvest year a. stock of■ foodstuffs, to form a positive insurance against possible climatic eventualities next harvest.”

The most- excellent weather encourages the hope of the fulfilment of the Allied decision to maintain the distribution of cerials unrat-ionodi Enforced reliance upon homo supplies of meat will compel a- further reduction in the meat ration, while tho increased cost will necessitate an increase in'the price of the same. Tim problem of providing additional feeding stuffs continues to bo urgent. Lucidly, tbe supplies of North American bacon will prevent any real privation. Military reverses have produced great disappointment in Gorman political circles. Some newspapers point out how they coincide with tho appointment. of von Hinize as Foreign AUnistcr. The Reichstag was not consulted, hut the more liberal sentiment on the part of the German Press indicates that it-' is merely a case of tho Devil being sick and wanting to turn monk.

The Polish question, which lias for a long time hung up German policy, was recently reported to bo near solution. Austria wanted the union of Russian and Austrian Poland as part of the Austro-Hmigurinn Empire, while Germany was anxious to keep the triple division of Poland, so that German Poland should not be the only unredeemed territory. The. suggested compromise now to the fore is' that the Archduke Karl Stephen be. made King of Poland, in close, connection with Germany, with territory which might include parts of White Russia, where there are big landed estates owned by Poles, though the population is Russian. This kingdom would contain none of the present Austrian or German Poland. Moreover such an artificial new Poland must rely ui Germany fop protection against universal Russian indignation. . This compromise would give German police almost all it wants.' but it is still uucortaup whether Austria, will acquiesce. Russia more and. more realises the hum 1 ation of the Brest Ri+nvsk ■meaty, and strong anti-German feeling strong* ttw- t:c Gcenmu Emb-«y** is reported to have fled from Moscow, protected by Gorman soldiers disguised in Russian uniforms. It found Petrograd in the hands of bitterlv hostile social Revolutionaries, and being un-‘

to travel to Pskov.was compelled to vo via liolsimrfors mid Reval. Tlui ’unexpected arrival of British troops at Baku gives n fresh revelation of British icsource, and .adds a. largo hietor (o many Eastern problems which Germany and Turkey must solve between them, none the more easily sinco each is on the worst terms with the other, and both are on bad terms with Bulgaria.

Creni Britain’s rigid rationing of coal for domestic consuniption and non-essen-tial industries, gives yet another instance of the sacrifice to which she cheerfully submits in order to meet the heavy demands of the military needs of her Allies. The French Prime Minister and Marshal Foch have just paid a noble tribute to thy work of the British coalminers, urging (hem to yet more stremions efforts, since coal is as ossentrin.l to victory as men and munitions.