The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-08-13

tie Chicago Tribune ana the Oklahoma
City Tlnes)
LONDON, Aug. l5.--The promise OF
Sundays news has been more than full
filled, and it already is possible without
undue optimism to cl9'm that We have
gained a substantial success.
Amiens has been relieved from the
menace which has threatened II for so
many months, while the important juno
ton at LonCncau, lust to the east OF
the town, and the Anicns- -Clcrmont
railroad have been freed. These results
are Of a very real value, for 4 is not
possible 10 contemplate with equanimlty
the prospect OF facing the winter with
out being able TO make full use of the
important communications pass ing |
through Amiens.
First Advance Is Feature.
The feature OF the battle so far has |
been the depth Of the ground gained in
the first days Of the fighting, ! do not
think that in any battle in the west since
trench warfare started, either we, or our |
allies, or the Germans ever succeeded III |
making A first advance OF seven miles /
1t is evident that the tanks had a |
good deal to do with making this pos |
siblc. They must now have definitely |
established their reputation IN the
army, which is matter Of the great
est importance Soldiers are naturally |
conservative and dISinclincd TO give
their confidence TO new weapon, or
10 a new arm OF service till IT has
proved its worth,
+ Tanks Play Important Part.
Our first tanks were slow and fre-
:. arently got into difficulties and often
failed to fulfill the high expectations
(which had been formed Of them, with
the resut that both the commander
and troops were inclined to look upon |
them as broken reeds.
The new tank is in every way a |
very great advance upon It prototype, !
and it is quite clear from the reports |
we receive that it not only had no dit
ficulty in keeping pace with the intan-
try. but often lett them foot sore and
far behind. Fochs great counter at
tack owes much OF its success to the |
skilim 1ploymcnt OF tanks IN ege
numbers and now the tanks again have !
contributed largely to our success and |
improved almost beyond recognition up !
on the first experiment at Cambria.
Enemy Behind in Tanks.
"This is a matter of the greatest con
sequence ior we quite clearly and def
initely are ahead OF the enemy IN tar KS
and need not fear he will be able to
catch up with us.
Z The barrier in the west held to be
. impenetrable, because, for time We
(. could find no other means of breaking
\ through than prolonged artillery
bombardmcnt. This advertised TO the
enemy the fact that we were about to
attack. made surprise impossible and
enabled him TO hold his reserves in
readiness TO meet our onslaught.
/, Infantry Advance Difficult.
(. Furthermore, the effect Of pro-
louqed an intense bombardment was TO
destroy the surface of the ground to
an extent which often made 1t matter
4 of the greatest difficu for the inian-
. try 10 90 forward and to bring up sup
niles and ammunition when they had
advanced Recent experience has shown
that with tanks long bombardment IS
unnecessary, which in turn reintro-
duced surprise as a weapon OF general
ship and made it .ossible TO penetrate
the barrier successfully.
Therefore the opening phases OF these
last two battles are full Of promise for
Z the future.
Haig's Blow Is Different.
We must remember that Haig's blow
Z is very different in its nature from
Foch's. The latter attacked the Ger
mans when they were deeply committed
and so paralyzed their communications
4 by his first advance that it was impos-
fsible for them 70 develop an organized
/. eounter attack. There IS no parable
10 this in the present battle and Prince
Rupprecht has considerable reserves at
no great distance.
n would therefore be too much TO
expect that the first two days progress
could be continued at the same rate and
Il would be no surprise II the enemy
made a desperate effort to retrieve his
poestion south OF the Somtne where he
Il n present deeply compromised AS
Il &, Il seems improbable that the en-
~ will be able to maintain himself IN
Y tte salient between Roye and Mont
didjsr and II we can hold the railway
:. tvnes.on at Chaulnsss II Is certain that
~ epsWy must make withdrawal. IN
11pe nppccts comparable with that
~ Ne has lust carried out on the
1Qt Ithe Germans can hope for
- that theis reserves will
- psesent such . dis