The Washington herald., 1917-07-22
German Power in Belgium
Weakens Under Haig's Fire

continuous actions upon most unfa-
vorable ground, overlooked from the
new British vantage point Of the
Vimy Ridge. But In the north the
continued hold on the La Bassee and
White Sheet ridges guaranteed the
safety OF the German right wing
which rests upon the sea, and made
1t possible to strip the Belgium front
Of men and cannon to Withstand the
pressure OF the British at Arras and
Of the French on the Aisne and In
Champagne.
Haig's blow at White Sheet, known
for weeks in advance to the Germans
who saw what was preparing from the
ridge, followed. 1t succeeded COM
pletely in spite of the most desperate
efforts of the enemy and the success
was a witness of British artillery and
aerial superiority and OF splenolo
quality Of British infantry. From
White Sheet, the Germans could see
fifteen miles Of British front whicn
they cannot see at all today ex-
ceptinS by air work. Conversely, from
White Sheet the British can now look
down upon the defenses of Lille and
observe every movement for ten miles
across q plain that was formerly IN
visible.
Just as vimy was easier to take
than the Albert Ridge. so White Sheet
was easier to take than Vimy. When
the Albert Ridge was attacked, the
Germans drew on their whole front
for re-enforcements. When Vimy was
attacked. they could only draw on the
northern part of their line. When
White Sheet was attacked. linden
burg was already fully occupied near
Arras and to the south, and the bas-
ton Of the German right wing had to
be defended with men and guns be-
longing to the central strategic re-
serve and to the sector attacked.
What these somewhat dry strategic
facts mean in terms of human life can
be shown most clearly in spite of the
prohibition upon the publication OF
casualty totals. In answer to my
question, Gen. Maurice, director OF
military operations OF the imperial
general stan, said at the war office,
"Our losses in the first four days
at Vimy were half those OF the first
four days on the Somme. Our losses
in the first four days at. Wytschaete
were half those of the first four days
at Vimy, or one-fourth those of the
corresponding period on the Somme."
There is every reason to believe that
this ratio OF decreasing losses will be
continued when further attacks are
made. The next attack will find the
German right wing shattered at White
Sheet. The Germans. on unfavorable
ground and unable to see what the
enemy is doing behind the shelter of
the ridge, will have to keep more
men and guns in a zone swept by fire
directed by a superior air service. and
from the observation posts where for
nearly three years the German gun
ners made a hell Of the Ypres region.
The pressure will be continued al
Arras and to the south. 1t needs no
prophet to predict that the next blow
will be more successful, and less
costly. than its predecessor. And the
most encouraging feature of the sit
uation is that the same factors which
operate to decrease the British losses
increase those Of the Germans.
In discussing the effects that will
dow from the White Sheet victory. a
distinguished military authority said;
Tax first the strategic value of the
position. There Is a great road, a
great military road. into Belgium from
the west through Ypres. There is an-
other great road into Belgium from
the west through AFmentieres and
along the valley of the Lys. These
roads converge at Menin. Menin is
an important railway center as well
as an important road center. The
White Sheet Ridge lies in the angle
between these roads, and its posses
sion commands both.
These geographical facts make 1t
clear why the Germans fought so
long in 1914 to gain possession of the
ridge, and were willing to pay for 1t
price equal to that they proved
willing to pay for Verdum, though
vainly-at least as great a price, II
not greater. for their entire losses in
the battles around Ypres must be in
cluded. The same facts explain why
they fortified the ridge with so much
art. By rendering the ridge as they
thought impregnable to any assault,
they had. in their own belief, barred
and bolted this front door into Bel
gam finally. The White Sheet Ridge
represented a vast barrier fortress OF
the modern type.
But the bastion served another pur-
pose. Together with the bastion at
La Bassee, though 1t was much the
more important of the two, the White
Sheet Ridge formed the cover and stiff
fleming of the German right wing.
Everything on the West front depend
ed on this right wing remaining Sc
cure. Without Belgium as a military
base the enemy's Western campaign
could not go on, and 1t Is evident that
IL the right wing ceased to be secure
the defense of the rest of the front
and more especially of that part be-
tween Lens and Auberive in Cham
payne, would be heavily embarrassed.
With these bastions in their hands,
however, not merely did the Germans
feel assured of such security. but,
thanks to these Notifications, they
felt they could maintain that secur-
Ity with a moderate mass Of troops.
Hence they felt free to throw their
main strength into the battle from
Loos southwark.
How Victory Came. .
at the same time they did not
do this recklessly. To begin with.
this northern wing, and most Of all
the sector to the south of Tyres, was
too important to imperil, and next the
British preparations for attack were