The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-12-20
German Divisions Shattered.


the Aisne and in Champagne. OF these
divisions 81 were so shattered that
they had to be withdrawn, and later
appeared again, their gaps reflled
with reserves. Several came back for
the third time. In six weeks, there
fore, only AT of the German divisions
garrisoning the western front had not
been dragged into the great suction
actions" Figures on the latest fighting
are not obtainable.
During the entire battle of the
Somme, which lasted four months, ~
separate German divisions were en-
gagged, many of them sent back for the
second or third time after being
smashed up.
In six weeks of the more intense
fighting of 1917, the Germans were
compelled to use practically the same
man-power to stand up against the
British and French onslaughts as they
poured into the whole Somme action
from start to finish. No more men
than absolutely necessary are sent in
to the internal fire maintained by the
allied artillery. BY the figures have
given are to be calculated the results
of the first phase of this years fight
ing, not by progress measured on a
map. Every division sent into these
battles suffers heavily under the con-
slant Smelling to which it is subjected
from the time it enters the zone OF
long range fire miles behind the trench
lines until what is left of it reaches
safety again.
But does not this process of attrl-
ton work both ways? Are not British
and French divisions drawn in the
same way under the shells OF con-
centrated German batteries? How can
we talk about success and ultimate
victory if both sides are bleeding to
death in this fashion?
Balance Heavily Against Germans.
In the answers to these questions
lies the real cause of the optimism at
the front. Heavy as are the allied
losses, the attrition process is not OPP
Grating to the same extent on both
sides. There are several factors at
work this year that are weighing down
the balance heavily against the Ger
mans.
First comes the allied superiority in
the air. This is indisputable, and man.
ifest to the most casual observer. On
clear days, have seen dozens OF Brit
ish airplanes buzzing over the German
lines; to catch sight of an enemy plane
on our side is now an event, and an
exciting event, because the venture
some intruder is sure to be fighting an
angry swarm Of British or French
wasps. Sometimes the Germans SEM
squadrons of high-speed scouts scut-
Ting along three miles in the air, but
at these great attitudes observation
even with German lenses is not of the
best. The only German squadron l
saw myself during several days Of per-
feet observing weather was engaged,
at an enormous height, in struggle
with FIVE or SIX British planes. There
are hundreds Of good German air
planes, with first class pilots, but so
relentless Is the allied aerial offensive
that they are compelled to remain be-
hind their own lines on an almost con-
tinuous defensive, and it is over Ger
man territory under the protecting ire
of German arches that 10 fights out OF
20 now take place.
Must "Shoot Off the Map"
The results of this situation would
he manifest in the casualty lists even
if the guns and shells on each side
were equal. The Germans are COM
PEELED to "shoot off the. map" where
they have not direct observation over
the enemy lines from some higher
grounds; that is their gunners must
fire at roads whose ranges can be cal
culated or at places where they mere
ly guess allied guns are placed, In the
absence of air photography to show
them what to shoot at, or Of sporting
planes over the enemy positions to
wireless the results of their marks
manship. BY taking the Vimy ridge
and the commanding height at Monchy,
the British early in the Arras fighting
deprived the Germans Of direct OBJ
seryatiOn over their communications,
and were able to watch miles of the
German lines; an instance of the real
value of winning ground, not as an
end in itself, but merely as one of
number of factors which help to give
advantage in observation. A modern
general asked whether he would pre-
fer to carry a hill before him or to re-
tain his airplane superiority, would al
most invariably choose the latter.
Far more enviable is the lot Of the
British and French gunners. They,
too, can shoot "off the map as well as
the enemy, but they are constantly
supplied with airplane photographs
showing the most minute defensive
works behind the German lines, they
are informed, by airplanes which see
the flashes of enemy guns, approx
mately where to shoot to knock out
batteries, and they are able to correct,
their ranges after each salvo, on
clear day, in the light Of reports re-
ceived from airmen who have seen the
shells explode.
Artillery Hopelessiy inferior.
Not only are the German gunners
blinded by reason of allied air SUI
premacy, but the enemy is now hope
leSsly inferior both in the number OF
cannon he can bring into action and
the supply of shells he can deliver to
them. The situation in 1915, when the