South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-15


ods of combat in the past summer brought back
omething the old fashioned tactical conditions OF
The period which temporarily ended at the hrst
LESSONS FROM THE
CAMPAIGN OF 1914.
Looking back al that campaign Of 1914 can
derive valuable information TO the campaign now
in progress. In the opening phase Of the war Johre
rook the offensive lust as Ludendorf seized in
March OF this year I'm the latter half August Jofre
pushed armies Alsasce. Lorraine Belgium, Lux
emburg and up 10 Charleroi But toward the end OF
August an these armies heavily beaten, all OF
them compelled retreat and the initiative passed
from the French the Germans.
I'm this vituation Jonre had two courses open to him.
lie might have sought 10 regroup his armies and con
duct an operation Of purely defensive nature from
the Somme the NTosele. covering Amiens, Rheims
and Nancy. But such an operation would cOhoeuI
him 10 "a permanent defensive, and in the view Of
400 modern strategy. which has returned 10 the Ma
poeonic conception. the defensive spells defeat You
nav possibly hold your enemy for "a certain period Of
time. but YOU can destroy him, you Will have
always TO conform to his will and the whole purpose
Of war OF al modern beyond all other
wars is TO destroy the armies Of your foe
Accordingly Jonre adopted the principle of vide
swinging hghting retreat behind which he
UNDERSTOOD 10 regroup his armies with the deliberate
intent the offensive when this reorgantza-
ton complete. While the defeated armies sloWS
retired from the Belgian frontier into france Ne
created two armies, those of Foch and Maunoury
and when those armies az last created he was
ready. while the enemy had by this time advanced
into perilous position Jonre accordingly retook the
offensive. defeated the Germans and compelled them
10 retire 20 the Asue than this, once the Ger
mans were at the Asne preparing to their
advance upon Paris Johre opened turning move
mont east of Amiens which compelled the Germans
to abandon their own plans the danger
The result that the campaign Of 1914 ended be
tore Ypres with the initiative still escaping the Ger
mans And they never fully recovered this initiative
on the western front until the present year.
JOFTRE UNABLE TO
EXPLOIT SUCCESSES.
ON The other hand owing TO the superior prepare
tons of the Germans their greater numbers and the
uurea diness of the British-an .nreadiness wholly
comparable with our own last year-Joure was never
able exploit his various successes He had broken
the German strategy, his TO be car
ried logical conclusion because he lacked men
munitions and guns Not until the lighting in
July was the mechanical equipment of the French
aud British equal TO the German although numerical
y allied superiority the fairly steady from
May. 1918 up the beginning OF the present year
Now when Ludendorn beaten at the second
Marine his position similar that OF Jore after
the of the French offensive in 1914. His own
strategy temporarily wrecked lie recognized that
ne must retire OF untenable positions taken only
detail in his own effort TO bring the French ana
British battle under unfavorable conditions
destroy them. He realized that retreat nee
essary order that while parryng the blows or the
enemy delivered under advantageous conditions,
result their Marine victory he might regrOup his
forces and the appropriate moment, fonOwins
Ioffres example, take the offensive again
complish what Johre had accomplished at the Marine
FOE MUST BE
DENfORALIZED FOR SUCCESS.
10 Is In this lisht we must view ell that has hap
pened since July IS The retreat Of the Germans
important for the French and British, 1t released
valuable and necessary lines OF communication anG
greatly improved the physical situation of the
allies OF relatively minor importance in the larger
sense unless It's consequence shouI. De the deHor
allsatiOn OF the German army and the elimination Of
an chance that when IL had effected retirement II
could pass 70 the offensive and not merely regain the
initiative. force its pursuers conform will
FOR the balance OF the year
The essential thing an is not the occupation
81 territory. the occupation OF that territory
forces YOUR enemy fight under unfavorable condi-
lions and thus lighting to meet utter defeat We all
the map and see there, IL may happen
Ia To,b or f,5enorrr sei, The answer 70 their oss
a~F,a .--H