The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-11
GERMANS FAIL
TO KEEP SUPPLY
OF EFFECTIVES
Enemy Patches Up Worn
Out Divisions With In
feriOr Men.
BEST TROOPS SHATTERED
Now Facing Endless Stream of
First Class Americans on
West Front.
BEST TROOPS SHATTERED
sp,ciai Correspondence TO TIE Sun.

PARIS. July 2s.-The last frank and
courageous words of M. Clemenceau on
the state of affairs within the Entente,
and especially on the fatal diminution
Of the French and English reserves.
have been reproduced with certain
pleasure in Germany The enemy
wished TO see a confession in them.
whereas they we're only the loyal state
ment Of a state of things. which exists
also in Germany, even in much greater
and more serious degree.
The question of electives to-day
holds the first place In the general dis
cussion Of the war. 1t has become par
ticuiariy alarming for the Central Pow
ers since, 1t has been shown. they have
soothing to oppose to the fresh masses OF
American troops which arrive each day.
80 make up the inestimable difference
they can only ask for greater efforts
from the units that are still intact and
employ all sorts OF expedients to fill the
gaps made by their terrific losses.
How can these great losses be ac-
counted for and what were the con-
trihuting factors in the systematic
wearing away Of the great German divi-
sions? Apart from the highly efficient
intelligence bureaus Of the Allied General
S:aff. Swiss sources offer the next best
opportunity for learning facts about the
German army which are generally not
published. From one of these sources
was traced the history since the be-
ginning Of the year Of one Of the ia.
nous German divisions, the 197th. This
b-isf history may be taken as an ex-
ample Of the overwork to which the
German troops are subjected and allow
us 10 form an estimate Of their losses
One Division Traced.
Formed in June. 1916, this division re-
manned on the Eastern front TIL Feb
ruary, 1915. After losing many of its
best soldiers the division was brought
10 the Western front shortly before the
beginning of the March offensive with
cut being in any way reinforced. certain
Of its regiments containing companies
of only 100 men. In May IL occupied
section Of the Chemin des Danes sec
tor. there representing that type Of divi-
sion which the Germans call Front
DIVISIONS
Its participation in the attack of May
20 has been clearly traced: during the
right OF the 26th 1t sent out numerous
patrols to protect the work of construct
ing bridges over the Ailette and at the
same time to be within a useful distance
to participate in the attack on the
Chemn des Danes. The storning divi-
SONS then replaced it at the moment
when the artillery preparation began.
In the evening of the 27th the division
returned to Grandelain north of the
Auette, which it left again the next day
fo- the Nesle in conformity with the
movement Of the troops which preceded
il On the evening of the 2Sth IL was at
Nauxhertn. and arrived at Cerseuil
during the night From that moment Oh
account of the extension OF the divisions
which preceded IL, it began to send units
iato the first line to fill in the gaps. ON
the "9th II WAS at Joumisnes and on the
%0tb Mt Bruyeres. r.
June I found the entire division in the
lines relieving tired troops; in fact. it
rad entered the battle. 1t attacked at
BONES, then marched to Bussiares,
where it encountered French and Ameri-
can troops and underwent cruel losses
II was there, to the south of Chevy. that
this division met the Americans. to whom
/, yielded Neuilly and Bussiares.
Lost One-third of EHectives.
Since the 18th divisions entry into
the battle on June ] its losses have been
very heavy, and are estimated at about
third OF the electives of June and
80 per cent of those of June 5. For
example, the second company of the
ESD Regiment had fallen from ninety
guns TO fifty. the third company had no
more than sixty men. and the eighth
company. out of the 100 guns which 1t
comprised before the American attack,
Vas reduced to thirty -Seven guns. five OF
shich were in reserve for the battalion
and Ave for the regiment. The seventh
company was reduced TO four men.
Such a system of wear and tear en-
p'oyed for such long period has
"a N Of ha
German army. The electives have suf-
iered heavily and every possible means
has been employed to obtain combat.
ants with which to MI in the ranks.
IN" anticipated calling up of the
Youngest classes took place some time
ago, almost at the outset of the Of
'"nsive. The Germans have already
Sonl 10 the front the greatest part of
III" 1919 class.
tn" call to the barracks OF class
20 tho youths who since their fifteenth
Year have been brought up on the
starvation diet of a famished Germany.
NHS nearly been finished now This gen
e'aI dlminut.on OF physical resistance.
uhden.hbly due to the efforts OF the
h.'rkadc, Will have n very serious eff
i'r' upon the value of the young re-
'rItS which the commandment Is obliged
70 train IN order to relieve the state
VI us electives. This is view held
n nearly every military critic In Eu-
rope. the German critics included.
Keep Wounded Men in Line.
According to the official bulletin OF
,.' fourth German army issued last
N'N IN order TO augment the depleted
oI\ SONS it has been found necessary
:" 'mploy men of the auxiliary services
j" he fighting ranks 1t has also been
established that all Germans drafted
80 "ep'<ced by men OF the aux
''.or services
letter from a sergeant OF the Thirty
."'nnl Regiment dated May 10 shows
c'arly the difficulties which the enemy
j. having in the formation of his re-
serves "A new battalion has been con-
H'lIl"d here while | was on leave"
j" wrote. They have gathered about
-.n men together, to whom they have
a''"d numerous soldiers who had been
entity wounded during the last Of !
.'h'''e, They have not even been
Granted the shortest leave for their con-
'''eSo"nce. They have been Obliged to
return 10 the front without any delay"
The" is still another method which |
40" Germans finally resorted to, They