Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-07-12
GIGANTIC TASK
Of Concentrating Our
Forces at the Front

I Gehlnd the British Lines in France
June 7.-(Correspondence of The
Associated Press)-The task of con-
/ centratnS divisions for modern
battle on the western front is by no
means an easy one, for it is natural
~ the cncmys chief concern to pre-
vent such Il movement from being
successfully and easily accomplished
Rapid concentrations are essential
or else tho all-important element of
surprise IS lost, and rapidity depends
largely upon the skillful use Of rail-
ways already overburdened with the
normal demands of the troops in the
assault area. For this reason the
F, onemy's long range fire, as we'll as
q considerable proportion of his
, bombing airp!anes are concentrated
upon the railroads in the back areas
| Under normal conditions, the or
dinary straight railway line is not
particularly vulnerable. Being so
narrow it is a difficult target to hit.
The curves of railroad are, how
ever, much more important. The de-
struction of section of lail on
curve means more trouble than the
destruction of half a dozen sections
on the straight.
Sidings. railway stations. and
places where there is q network Of
rails. and where there are points,
functions, and other special types Of
rail, are even more important than
curves, for damage done at vital
center may completely delay traffic
! for many hours. Such rail-centers
behind the German lines are subject
ed by the British to a form of time
bombardment' SO devised that all re-
pairs have to be carried out under
the most harasSing conditions; and
not an hour passes without shells or
bombs bursting in the affected area.
An important result of this con-
centration against the rail centers is
that troops cannot be massed for an
attack without undergoing a certain
amount of morale shaking expert
ences first. There is no peace for
them by day or by night. Under these
conditions the troops are stale before
the attack is launched.
As this long range bombardment
is controlled chiefly by airplane OBJ
servation, an enormous advantage
lies with that side which is predon-
inant in the air. BY the superiority
Of their airmen the Allied armies are
able to sweep all roads and railways
IN the enemy's rear with concen-
trated artillery fire by day and night,
whilst large squadrons Of bombing
airplanes keep the German rest areas
and Sillets perpetually under fire.
Thus the German soldiers are kept
in a state of nervous tension, the cas-
ualties are heavy, and the extra work
involved by the ever increasing diff
fculties leads to the concentration
being continuously delayed and hung
up. Divisions suffer. and lose their
fighting value without ever being
launched against the enemy.
All these things together conspire
to make the German concentrations
difficult Of accomplishment and more
and more dependent upon the wealth
er. which alone can suspend the Brit
ish and French aerial activity and
hamper observation. Every day's de-
lay ~ preventing a German concen-
trauon is Of the utmost value to the
Ailles- who can prepare and strength
en- positions, bring up reinforce
ments' construct roads and light
railways, and generally make val
uaoIe use of the time thus gained.
When the delay occurs between the
phases Of big battle it is even more
important; for experience goes to
sho" that an arrested offensive that
ialis 10 attain its objects is little
better than a real defeat