Men and munitions

It has been suggested here on more than one occasion that before the preparations of the Allies were complete the Germans would adopt a new offensive in the west, a course not only in accordance with Teutonic ideas but the only one open to them.

From two or three sources lately have come reports of movements of German troops and the closing of the Belgo-Dutch frontier lent colour to the more extravagant rumours in circulation.

The difficulty has been to ascertain in which direction German forces were moving but the strong possibility is that the western line is being repaired and augmented.

And that the bulk of the new men, the number can only be guessed, are being rushed to the northern section with a view to aggressive action against the Belgians and French’s now by no means ‘contemptible little army’.

The reinforcements are not likely to be seasoned warriors drawn from the eastern front but freshly trained, but if this represents all that Germany is prepared or able to do in the west the allies are certainly in a position to give an exceedingly good account of themselves.

If the new offence is aimed solely at the British we may still regard the prospect with a measure of confidence for it is most unlikely that Field Marshall Sir John French has been caught napping.

Indeed it may well be that the successful move towards Hill 60 was made in anticipation of the new German move and the British have thus got their blow in first.

German exasperation at being out-generalled in this fashion is shown by the repeated and determined efforts being made to regain the position, efforts incidentally which are also in themselves eloquent testimony to the value of the elevation which cost us so much to capture.

Our casualties are much below those sustained by the enemy and if the German ranks continue to be decimated the new units will serve only to repair wastages.

It is likely indeed that corps which have been training during the last few months are already employed and that unless unlikely good fortune attends the German elsewhere they are suffering a present attrition which can never again wholly be made good.

Meanwhile the army continues to grow at an alarming rate.

It is evident from Mr Lloyd George’s statement in the House last night that we have just three quarters of a million men already engaged, including 140,000 who have filled gaps, and that as the months roll on this already huge figure will be doubled.

What has been accomplished by Britain in the way of creating an army of Continental magnitude, is little short of a miracle and and the work that is being done in the direction of turning out munitions of war is equally astounding.

So successful has been the work of Lord Moulton and the committee that Lord Kitchener certifies that our production relieves us of all anxiety and secondly that we can largely supply the allies.

The amazing extent of the speeding up will be noted and due importance will also doubtless be attached to the statement as to the future requirements of a more aggressive policy in July or August.