The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-10-18
GREAT WEDGE
IS DRIVEN IN
May Mean the Splitting of
German Forces on the
Western Front
ALLIES ADVANCE
METHODICALLY
Declared Sec. of War Baker
in Weekly State
ment

Washington, Oct. ls--The great wedge
which the allies are relentlessly driving
into the German line is described as the
outstanding feature of tie week in the
review of military operations for the
week ending Oct. IL, issued yesterday
| by the war department
"The allied offensive in Flanders con
tinues methodcally," says the review.
Assigned detectives attained with in
creasing regularity indicate efficient CO.
ordination of artillery preparation and
infantry attacks.
"The precision OF the allied barrage is
proved by the low casualties of the as
saulting columns. The British sector,
more particularly in the neighborhood of
the Houtoist wood, has given the allied
advance in Flanders the needed elbow
room.
Breadth of front is an essential con-
dition for operations which are to have
far-reaching results, for confined to a
narrow base really important encircl.
ing movement can have no sustained
value ii along its entire length it can be
fanked by artillery fire.
The zone of operations in the Ypres
salient, formerly too narrow for the
proper disposition of large masses of
troops, has now, by the French opera
ton and their recent successful advance,
so extended the line that fighting in
what was the Ypres salient has changed
in the character. 1t is no longer to be
considered a salient, but an ever extend
ing wedge progressively driven into the
German lines.
THE operations of the French during
the past week arc i'll fact complementary
to the engagements which resulted in
the capture Of Messines by the British
last June.
During the engagements of the week
the French everywhere maintained the
positions won in the face OF repeated on
slaughts
As was to be expected at this sea
son, bad weather has somewhat retarded
the allied advance Operations were
hampered owing to the fact that the
well drained ground of the passchendaele |
ridge once passed over, the advancing |
columns are confronted with the water
logged, soggy FLANDERS plain, which |
stretches on to Roulers and beyond.
'The infantry was further impeded by |
he fact that allied artillery preparation /
mas so plowed up the ground that the
erran has been turned into a sea of
mud, making the going almost impos
iible Torreutial rains and lowering
LIQUIDS rendered aerial observation diff
ult and under ordinary circumstances
would have caused a suspension Of often,
i've peace operations, but the inclement
Weather has not prevented the extension
md consolidation Of allied gains during
he week.
The Germans, fearing lest the allied
.dvance in Flanders would be followed
" a similar effort along other sectors of
he front, particularly north OF Verdun,
ndeayored to thwart allied plans by
aunchng a powerful attack preceded by
he usual intensive artillery preparation
n this sector.
"The enemy was able to gain tempo
arv footing in certain advanced French
mes Latest adyices show that he was
riven out after some hot fighting.
ut must be remembered that if
in the field is willing to pay
he price both in lives Of his men as well
5 in an overwhelming expenditure of
lunitions, he is invariably able to score
local success. This the Germans gained
i their assault of the French positions
long the right bank of the Meuse in the
,gion of hill 304
THE enemy's success was, however,
lore short lived than was to be antici-
lted when its cost is taken into con-
deration, for not only did the French
gain the positions momentariy lost,
1t they are now holding their positions
yainst exceedingly heavy enemy pres
ire, at the same time successfully carry
z on their offensive engagements in
anders, as well as raiding the enemy's
les at other points.
The review touches briefly upon the
tuation on other fronts. No mention
made of American forces or war prep
ations.