Hurled backwards

German offensive repulsed

8,000 prisoners

On Saturday it was shown that the enemy had made progress to the south of Ypres and on the Aisne and it may be that this was not counter balanced by the ground weakened to the east of Ypres but it was also evident that we had well held the invaders in the Yser district and had made progress elsewhere.

Yesterday’s bulletin, moreover, contained the good news that the ground lost to the south of Ypres had been regained and that some additional progress had been made to the North and East.

Early in the day last reported upon, there is reason to believe that the communiques do not bring us right up to date, the enemy advancing from the Lys captured two of our supporting points but the triumph was short-lived. Vigorous attempts to retake the positions paid off.

During the day the enemy used up a lot of ammunition, the roar of the heavy guns being almost continuous and, thus supported, attacked along a considerable portion of the front in the hope of getting back some of the ground we had annexed during the preceding three or four days.

All these attacks were without result and the same story is told of the Argonne where despite fierce efforts the Germans finished as they had begun with the French hold on the territory only being strengthened. Our losses as can only be expected to continue to be heavy but we have something to show for our exertions while the enemy, paying a vastly bigger price, have gained naught.

German official statements contain claims as to the taking of prisoners in large numbers; 2,100 is the number given and it is not unlikely if the allies have found themselves so awkwardly placed as to have no alternative but surrender.

On the other hand, there can be no doubt that as the German losses greatly exceed our own, so also do the number of prisoners we have taken.

A sample week is quoted the statistics being furnished by our service in the rear: ‘From the 14th to the 29th alone there were interned 7,883 German prisoners’. Those figures do not include wounded under the care of our ambulance corps.

An important unofficial message suggests that so far as the northern area is concerned the Germans have been compelled to retreat a considerable distance to the east of Dixmude.

The Germans cannot advance down the coast where our warships have been very effectively bombarding them for a fortnight and it is possible their efforts will again be concentrated on the La Bassee and Arras neighbourhood .

On the eastern battle fronts the Russians are piling success upon success. Turkey, however, has been cajoled into active participation in the war and the new difficulties this creates are too considerable to be dismissed with a shrug of the shoulders.

Men badly needed elsewhere will have to be employed in protecting our interests in Egypt and Russia. We may also find it necessary to detach forces which would have proved useful in another quarter. Turkey will realise in good time that her days in Europe are numbered. Italy may now take an active part but it is too soon to report on this.