The Monticellonian., 1917-11-09
FLUx AND REFLUX
 OF GERMAN ARMY
English Writer Shows How Forces Were Swung to
 and Fro.
WEST TOTAL NEAR MAXIMUM
On Sept. the Fighting Troops There, He Figures, Reached f,36e satal- ions-Roumania's Entry
 Causes Swift Change.

With the French Armies.-The Aux and refux of the German forces on the western and eastern fronts, together with their rapid augmentation on either side whenever occasion called for an increase of effectives, have been now clearly set forth. The figures given refer to the various phases of the war, starting with the invasion Of Belgium in August, 1914, going right through the allied offensives of 1915 and 1916. the German operations be- fore Verdun. the movements on the Russian and Roumanian frontiers. and concluding with the position as it was on September 1 this year.
 It will he seen that in 1914 the Ger mans threw onto the western front, including the army that forced its way through Belgium, 1.190 battalions of infantry; while on the Russian front. from which they did not await much activity, they left only 322 battalions. By September I this year these totals had been enormously raised, for on that date they had on the Franco-Bel- gian-British front no fewer than 1869 battalions, while on the eastern front they had in position 965 battalions Thus at the present moment they are employing 2,334 battalions on both fronts. whereas at the opening of hos tilities only 1,512 were engaged.
 From One Side to Other.
 glance at the totals of the battal- ions in line on the two fronts at differ ent periods of the war is interesting as showing how the principal effort of the Germans has swung from time to time from one side to the other.
 The attack on Belgium and France absorbed the attention of the German staff when war broke out in August. 1914, and the Russian front was left to very great extent to take care of itself. At that time the infantry ef1ec- tives were disposed as follows:
 Divisions of
 4Rgts. each. Baths On the western front ...... 961e l,19 On the eastern front........ 26lk 32 The battle of the Yser in November. 1914 caused the Germans to intensity their effort in the West. They brought up their effectives to higher total there. but at the same time they We're becoming rather anxious about the Rus sian front, and therefore added to the number of their troops on that side, making the position as follows:
 Divisions of
 Rests Baths on the western front........i041s 12a On the eastern frant........ 32h sea Then came lhe Russinn offensive. which compelled Germany to look round in order to find more troops Ia meet it. She therefore reduced her electives somewhat on the western front and sent them eastward. at the same time bringing some more battal ions from the interior to add 10 those on the Russian frontier. In September, 1915, by which time the maximum of the German effort had been reached on that side, the position stood:
 Divisions of
 or Rsts, Baths. On the western front........103 1,12n On the eastern front........ G 7So Verdun was the next great move ment the Germans had in view, and in order to win victory there they had changed the disposition of their infan- try eflectiyes ny bringing many divl- sions westward, so that the position in June, 1916, was:
 Divisions of
 3 Sor Rgts. Baths. On the western front........125 37g On the eastern front........ 4S 574
 Brings Further Changes.
 X fresh awakening of activity in the East was accustomed when Roumana came into the war. .'his brought fur ther changes in the proportional strength of the German forces on tine respective fronts. In December. 1916. they were as follows:
 Divisions of
 or Rgts. Baths. On the western front........124 1.SIa On the eastern front. . S9a In July. 1917, which SAW the opening of both British and French offensive movements the Germans were com pelled to re-enforce their armies on the western front, and this brought with 1t a reduction of their strength on the eastern frontier. The totals were then:
 Divs generally
 of 3 Rsts. Baths On the western front. ........i i55 It5S On the eastern front........ 79 SG0 Owing to events connected with the revolution in Russia. Germany threw some more troops into the eastern field of operations, and on September the situation was as Follows;
 Divisions of
 Rgts. Baths On the western front........147 l.369 On the eastern front....s... 92 ee5 These figures refer merely to the troops engaged in the fighting line, and leave out Of account those in garrison in the interior of the country, as well is those on the lines of communica- tion.
 At the beginning of the war the strength of the German battalion was about 1000 men. On the assumption that this strength has been maintained the correspondents statement inal. cates the presence of l. .369. .00O German r troops or the western front in Septem- 4 Der.
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