urled back and the territory regained by the
Franco-British {53} advance on the Somme in July, 1916, was recaptured
by the German Armies. But this was not a battle for towns or
territory, as the German hammer blows were intended to drive a wedge
between the British and French Armies, to roll up the British flank
northwards to the sea-coast and the French flank southwards to Paris,
and to capture the main line of communication between these Northern
and Southern Armies. By skilful reinforcement of threatened points,
Marshal Haig frustrated the primary object of the attack, and by the
aid of the French Armies the whole line fell back, disputing the ground
with the utmost resolution, and maintaining the line without losing
touch between the south and north. The German wedge was thrust in, but
every attempt to effect a breach and to pour through the line was
frustrated by the Allies. During the battle the French and British
Armies became intermingled, and to preserve unity of control a
Generalissimo was appointed in the person of General Foch, who had
commanded the French IX. Army at the First Battle of the Marne in
September, 1914, and the French Armies of the Somme during the advance
in July, 1916. General Pershing, commanding the Army of the United
States, gave a free hand to the Generalissimo to incorporate American
troops wherever they might be needed in the field, and Marshal Haig and
General Retain remained in command of the British and French Armies.

METHODS OF ATTACK.--The object of every attack is to break down the
enemy's resistance by the weight and direction of fire and to complete
his overthrow by assault, by the delivery of a decisive blow with as
large a portion as possible of the attacking force against a selected
point or portion of the enemy's position. The term "Decisive Attack"
does not imply that the influence of other attacks is indecisive, but
rather that it is the culmination of gradually increasing pressure
relentlessly applied to the enemy from the moment when contact with him
is first obtained.

{54}

TWO PLANS OF ATTACK.--There are two plans of attack. In the first, the
direction in which the decisive blow is to be delivered is determined
beforehand; an adequate force is detailed and pushed forward for this
purpose, and at the same time another part of the force is detailed to
attack another portion of the enemy's position, to keep his attention
there, to pin his troops in position, t