The Story of the Great War, Volume 7: American Food and Ships; Palestine; Italy invaded; Great German Offensive; Americans in Picardy; Americans on the Marne; Foch's Counteroffensive.
History
The Story of the Great War, Volume 7: American Food and Ships; Palestine; Italy invaded; Great German Offensive; Americans in Picardy; Americans on the Marne; Foch's Counteroffensive.
World War, 1914-1918
On the Macedonian front the military situation has had all the
appearance of a deadlock, not only since last summer, but for the past
year. On November 24, 1917, the Austrians were reported to be making a
general offensive attack on the Italian lines in southern Albania,
between the Voyusa and Osum Rivers, which was followed by a strong
Italian counterattack, but neither side was able to announce any gains
of territory or any notable capture of prisoners or material. Again,
barely two weeks later, on December 5, 1917, violent fighting was said
to have begun for several miles along the front near the Struma, with
the net result that "several Bulgarian patrols were captured." Compared
to what we have come to regard as fighting in this war, therefore, these
few sporadic efforts in Macedonia and Albania have been very little more
than outpost affairs, mere raids.
On November 15, 1917, there was published in London a report on the
military activities of the British by General G. F. Milne, commanding
the British forces covering the past year, which seems in part to have a
significant bearing on a later event.
In the latter part of February, 1917, a year ago, General Milne was
instructed by General Sarrail to prepare for a forward push against the
Bulgarians in the first week of April. A corps was, accordingly, sent
forward shortly afterward to take a position on the high ridge between
Lake Doiran and the River Vardar. By April 8, 1917, General Milne was
ready, whereupon General Sarrail found it necessary to postpone action
until the 24th. On that day the British were sent forward and succeeded
in occupying the front-line trenches of the enemy almost along the
entire front of the attack. The British were now in a commanding
position, of which great advantage could have been taken, but at this
juncture General Milne was instructed to retire, "on account of the
unhealthful conditions of the terrain."
General Milne was next informed that the advance would begin over again
on May 8, 1917. So another assault on the enemy lines was begun between
Lake Doiran and the "Petite Couronne" Hill. In spite of the powerful
opposition of the Bulgarians some progress was made, and twelve days
later the new advance line was consolidated. A farther advance was in
progress, with every prospect of success, when on May 24, 1917, General
Milne received instructions from Sarrail to cease all offensive
operations.
By itself this report might at least indicate unpleasant relations
between the British and the French commanders, but further significance
is added by the announcement made December 19, 1917, that General
Sarrail had been recalled from his supreme command on the Macedonian
front, to be succeeded by General Guillemet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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