72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada - waughfamily.ca

SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADAgreat offensive had failed, he still held the West Frontthe Somme, the Hindenburg Line and the valley of theLys to be invincible, and counted on the British Armiesfrittering away their strength upon its formidable defences,as they had in 1916 and 1917. Further than that, he hadactually in preparation a new offensive on the Amiens-Montdidier front with which he hoped to restore the military balance in his favour."Field-Marshal Haig in his "Victory Despatch" of December 21, 1918, also refers to this period. After describing theweakened condition of the forces at his command following the enemy offensive, he says:"The German attacks,though they had failed to break the Allied line, hadstretched the resources of *he Allies to the uttermost ;whilebefore Amiens and Hazebrouck they had brought theenemy within a short distance of strategic points of greatimportance. In these circumstances the possibility of animmediate renewal of the enemy s offensive could not butbe viewed with grave anxiety."Atthe commencement of the period under review, earlyin May, the Allied High Command repeatedly expressedthe opinion that the enemy would renew his attack on alargescale on the front Arras-Amiens-Montdidier. Thestrategic results to be obtained by the capture of Amiens,the separation of the French and British Armies, and anadvance toward the sea along the valley of the Somme,were very great, and might well have proved decisive. Theenemy s opening offensive (in March and April) had already brought him within a measurable distance of successin this direction and had carried his armies through practically the whole of our organized lines of defence."Inshort, the enemy still possessed a sufficient superiority of force to retain the initiative, and it was known hewould be compelled to act within a comparatively limitedtime if he were to turn his superiority to account beforeThese were the two main factors whichit passed from him.106