A GLANCE AT THE WAR SITUATION
The apparent deadlock on the western front from the North Sea, through
that narrow strip that remained of Belgium, Flanders and France almost
to the borders of Alsace-Lorraine, had been maintained for so long now
that the world was momentarily expecting word that would indicate the
opening of what, it was expected, would be the greatest battle of the
war since Verdun.
It was known that Germany, confident because of the disruption of the
Russian armies, had drawn heavily upon her forces on the eastern
front. The world waited for some announcement of where the Kaiser
would strike next.
The blow was delivered in Italy. Field Marshal von Hindenburg, the
greatest military genius the war had yet produced, left his command on
the west front and hurried into Italy, succeeding General von
Mackensen, who had been in command originally.
The Italian troops fought hard to maintain the ground they had won from
the Austrians the spring and summer before; but in two days the
Austrians, reinforced by German troops, and commanded by, German
officers, had won back all they lost in two years of war and penetrated
to the heart of Italy itself.
The world stood aghast at the mighty Teutonic offensive, before which
the Italian troops, seasoned veterans that they were, were like chaff
before the wind.
The Allies became alarmed.
Von Hindenburg's blow in Italy, if successful threatened to dispose of
one country entirely, and would endanger the French and British troops
from the rear. It was decided to reinforce the Italians with French
and British troops.
At the same time, it became a part of the plan of the general staff to
strike hard in Flanders and in the Cambrai sector, while the Germans
were busily engaged elsewhere. It would, indeed, be an auspicious
moment to strike.
Since the days when the Germans had been beaten back by the French at
Verdun, Teuton offensives had been few and far between. It had been
the Allies who had advanced after that, with the one exception of the
Austro-German offensive being made in Italy. The ground that the
British and French had won, now they held. From time to time they
pushed their lines farther to the east, consolidated their positions
and made ready to move forward again.
It was plainly apparent that success was crowning the efforts of the
British and French on the western front. The Germans now and then
launched heavy local attacks, but these apparently were more for the
purpose of feeling out the strength of their opponents than with any
idea of concerted advance.
British troops in Egypt were pushing on toward Jerusalem and it seemed
that it was only the question of time until the Holy City would fall.
Once Turkish rule there had been broken, it was a foregone conclusion
that the Ottomans would never regain a foothold.
The thing of chief concern to the Allies was the internal conditions in
Russia. Revolt had succeeded revolt in the land of the Muscovite, and,
as rulers replaced rulers, it was hard to tell what the next day would
bring forth.
Conditions had not reached such a pass, however, that the German
general staff felt safe in releasing the bulk of its great army on the
eastern front. Therefore, although it appeared that Russia was about
to give up the fight, a million and a half of the Kaiser's best troops
were held on the Russian front.
It was known to the Allied governments that German efforts were at the
bottom of the Russian troubles, and the diplomatic corps had been hard
at work trying to offset this. As time passed, however, it was
realized that Russia's aid could no, longer be counted upon.
With the entrance of the United States into the war, with the American
nation's unlimited resources in men and money, the cause of the Allies
took on a more roseate hue. True, it would require time to put the
American fighting machine into shape to take the field, but once its
energies had been turned to making war, even Germany knew that America
would put her best foot foremost.
The latest British successes had been in the vicinity of Vimy Ridge,
which position, believed by the Germans to be impregnable, had been
carried by Canadian troops in a single attack. German counter-assaults
in this sector had failed to dislodge them, and there they remained
secure.
The Canadians had launched this attack in April soon after the United
States had declared war on Germany. Now, in November, their lines
still held despite the pounding of big German guns and infantry and
cavalry assaults.
As the Germans continued to push forward in Italy, threatening the city
of Venice--called the most beautiful in the world--General Sir
Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief, prepared himself for a
blow in Flanders, and also for a drive at Cambrai, one of the most
important German military centers.
Preparations for this attack were made quietly, and without knowledge
of the enemy; so, when the attack came, the Germans were taken
absolutely by surprise, and only escaped annihilation by the masterful
direction of Field Marshal von Hindenburg, who hurried from the Italian
front in time to stem the tide.
American troops in France at this time numbered not more than 125,000
men--these in addition to several detachments of engineers who had
been sent in advance to take over French railroad operations in order
to release the French for service on the fighting line. Many of the
Americans who had fought with the Allies in the early days of the
struggle, before Uncle Sam cast in his lot with them had returned to
America and joined their own countrymen in the expectation that they
would soon return to the front.
The American Army was being put in readiness as fast as possible, but
it was known that months of intensive training would be necessary to
fit it for its share of fighting at the front. Preparations were being
rushed, however, to send the national guard units across. These would
form the second contingent of Americans to reach France--the first
having been composed only of regulars.
American troops in France so far had seen little actual fighting.
Their activities had been confined mostly to beating off trench raids
and launching an occasional bomb attack on the German dugouts so close
to them. Several Americans had been killed in one of these
attacks--forming the first United States casualty list. Others had been
wounded, and some were missing, believed to be prisoners in the German
lines.
Hal and Chester had been in the midst of the Canadian advance and
capture of Vimy Ridge. Immediately after the battle they had left the
fighting front and returned to America, where they spent several months
training reserve officers at Fort Niagara. Because of excellent
service there, they had been honored by being numbered among officers
who went with the first expeditionary force under General Pershing.
Both lads had been among the American troops who beat off the German
trench raid which accounted for the first United States casualties, and
they had performed other services for General Pershing, as have already
been recounted.
Americans though they were, each felt that he would rather be where
action were swifter than lying idle in the trenches with their
countrymen. It was hard telling how long it would be before the
British and French general staffs would consider the American troops
sufficiently seasoned to take over a complete sector of the battle
line, and for that reason, the "Sammies," as they were affectionately
called at home, were unlikely to see any real fighting for some time.
In fact, it developed that when General Haig finally launched his
drive, only British, Irish, Welsh and Scots were used. The Americans
had no hand in the fighting.
Hal and Chester, after reporting to General Pershing following their
return from the German lines, returned to the automobile where they had
left McKenzie and Stubbs.
"There are no orders for us," said Hal, "so we may as well hunt our
quarters and get a little rest."
Upon inquiry they learned that their own company, in the trenches when
they left, had been moved back to make place for another contingent.
This was in line with the policy of seasoning the American troops.
Their own company, therefore, they found somewhat removed from the
danger zone.
"Of course, it's better to be in the trenches, where there is a chance
of action," Chester said, "but when a fellow needs sleep, as I do, I
guess it's just as well that we're back here."
"Right you are, Chester," said Stubbs, "and if you have no objections
I'll bunk along with you boys."
"Help yourself, Stubbs," laughed Chester. "Guess we can make room for
you."
"It's daylight yet," said Stubbs, "but I'm going to bed just the same.
Lead the way, Chester."
Chester needed no urging, for he could scarcely keep his eyes open.
McKenzie hunted his own quarters, and soon was fast asleep.
Hal and Chester also soon were in slumberland, and Stubbs' loud snoring
proclaimed that the little man's troubles were over for the moment at
least.