Evening journal., 1917-11-22
TANK SQUADRON
BIGGEST FACTOR
Washington Hears Germans
May Have Run Short
of Ammunition
BRITISH DASH
IS INSPIRING

WASHINGTON. NOV. lt.-tiucldi
Washington was deeply stirred yes
terday as press bulletins began 10 un-
fold the scope Of the smashing British
victory on the western front
While army officers were cautious IN
commenting on the significance Of the
drive In the absence Of. oflcial reports,
It was plainly evident 10 all quarters
that, on the face Of the press reports.
officials generally regarded this as the
greatest blow dealt the Germans since
the war started. They were especially
inspired by the dash and power dis
played by Field Marshal Haigs great
war machine as the brief bulletins
from the front pictured events from
hour to hour.
There were hints IN some quarters
Of previous information indicating that
Q shortage Of ammunition contributed
70 the German defeat According 20 this
view the German western line has been
stripped Of ammunition reserve and
men from the strategic reserves to
build up the machine which rolled
back the Italian line.
The German hieh command, II was
said In this connection, had counted
absolutely upon winter and French
and British forces transferred TO sup
port the shaken Italian lines as max
ing impossible any major offensive on
the western front at this lime.
"a rs1r oil It.s nrfNfu d
In launching their greatest assault Of
the war without artillery preparation
was freely commented on by officers.
Il Is the first time assaults upon thor
oughly organized trench lines have
ever been made except after the guns
have blasted a way through for the
infantry.
The use Of the tanks 10 clear away
barped wire entanglements aud pre-
sumably 10 batter down pill boxes
and other strong points also was novel
procedure. The success Of the move
ment probably depends wholly upon
HE complete surprise which was pos
slblo only by moving forward without
The usual accompaniment OF artillery
IRE.
Omcers here have discussed fire.
uuently in the last few months the
possibility OF restoring the element of
surprise attack In trench operations
IN Just this way. Some have thought
II could be done, while. others have
held that without destruction OF the
barbed wire cntanglement with higt
explosive shells the infantry would bi
halted on its flrst rush. The use o
the tanks solved this problem for IN
British.
There was much speculation as Z
inc immediate motive for the attacl
0f1loers were In agreement that II wa
designed " relieve pressure on th
italian front and probably also 10 pr,
vent the carrying out OF any plans Oh
Germans might have had for an attac
against the army holding the SalonI
front. on the face OF press report
of the scope Of the British. victor,
they were inclined to believe iha
these results had been accomplished
Further details as TO the number o
prisoners and the amount of war ma
terlal captured We're eagerly awaited
These Agures viii furnish a means O
gauging accurately the damage infllct
ed on the enemy and also will maxi
II clear whether or not a complet
surprise was accomplished
The number Of prisoners and IN
amount of war material captured ar
certain 20 be very large. in view Of tn
extent Of the drive unless the German
had already Withdrawn greater pal
OF their equipment and most Of the
men, and there is no hint up 10 hi
time in German War once statement
that a retirement had been planned.
Some officers here were hopeful iht
the drive would have the immediate @
feet Of compelling the German His
Command TO abandon the Italian can
paign or so reduce It's forces thei
that the combined italian, British an
French armies could drive the TeutoI
hack into the mountains.