EPISODES OF THE GREAT WAR [1917

fighting ; but it was clear to Haig that, although
the enemy's vigour seemed to be exhausted, the
British front was in a highly unsatisfactory state.
Either we must regain the Bonavis ridge, which
meant a new and severe engagement for which we
had not the troops, or we must draw in our line to
the Flesquieres ridge. He had no other course before
Mm but to give up the Bourlon position for which
his troops had so gallantly fought.

IV

With Cambrai closed the campaign of 1917 on
the Western Front. The dominant fact at the end
of the year was that the enemy was now able to
resume the offensive at will. He had some 150
divisions in the West and 79 in the East, for though
he had brought westward 23 divisions since 1st
October, he had the habit of returning eastward
certain worn-out units. But the men he was bringing
from Russia were the cream of his manhood, and the
business of forming and training new shock-battalions
went busily on. Moreover, he was far from having
exhausted that source of supply, and presently he
could add another half million of men and an infinity
of guns to his Western strength. The long German
defensive, which had lasted since Verdun, was at an
end. Young soldiers and irresponsible civilians
professed to welcome a German assault; but wise
men were uneasy. They knew that the German
Staff would presently make a desperate effort to
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