THE BATTLEFIELD

The narrow plateau which divides the Aisne and Ailette fell to the French in their attack of 26 April 1917. The Germans were able to retain parts, and clung to the northern slopes, which the French found difficult to search owing to the angle of descent. But these posts had to be defended in full strength or abandoned altogether. When the French launched their assault on Tuesday, they overwhelmed large numbers of infantry from picked units, and captured 8,000 prisoners. Remembering that as many more Germans must have been slain, and an even greater number wounded by shell fire, the importance of General Pétain’s success can be realised.

The nature of the country provided a battlefield most unlike the plain of Flanders. The Germans have shown great skill in developing fortifications. Besides underground cover, the network of barbed wire, hidden machine-gun nests, long-range barrage and the close cooperation of artillery with infantry, they have hit upon a tactical system which they continue to improve. As the numerous battles read fresh lessons, this system has been carefully considered and evolved from the sanguinary struggles of the last three years. Its object is to trap the assailant into expending his strength upon a false line of defence, which is lightly held, while the main fighting force is held back either for prolonging defence or counter-attack.