NEWS OF THE WEEK
LL other news this week is overshadowed by the opening of General Montgomery's great offensive from Caen. This, here can be little doubt, is the real thing, and a little consideration ill show that it could not have been undertaken until much had en done first. To launch an offensive on a large scale in what is ntended to be a war of movement requires not only a successful start ut the means of a powerful follow-up. First there was the need of port and, through it, the means of ensuring a steady flow of supplies. nee the attack on Cherbourg. Then there was the need of getting nto position, and into a favourable one, for Rommel had had time
o fortify himself strongly in and around Caen. It was necessary at the Americans should be free to face south and that they should heel as far as possible to the left in order to be able to co-operate ith whatever British forces might be attacking in the east. The mited advances between the Odon and the Orne not only secured avourable heights on the right of what was to be the main assaulting orce, but had the effect of drawing off some of the enemy's armour. en came the attack with a limited objective on Caen itself, helped oth by bombers and naval artillery, and finally the main attack ross the Orne, preceded by a violent air bombardment, which has arted most hopefully. This appears to be the moment for which e have been anxiously waiting. At last territory has been reached here tanks can be used in open country. General Montgomery is o rash adventurer. When he strikes he strikes hard, having judged hat men, what material, what transport are at his disposal. Now e has put forces securely across the Orne and beyond Vaucelles, nd his armour has penetrated some distance to the south-west, with he infantry battling behind it. If to an impatient public at home e period of waiting has seemed long, it is well to be reminded hat all the time the enemy has been suffering heavily. General lontgornery makes the conservative estimate that the total German osses in killed, prisoners and wounded cannot be fewer than 156,000.
