My War Memories, 1914-1918
them behind the line—we had not enough men. The number of available divisions was shrinking. In view of the shortage of artillery it was now kept in the line, even when the divisions were relieved. Divisions which were released by battle-worn divisions had, in turn, to leave their artillery behind them and come up behind the battle-front. The result was that units were hopelessly mixed up.
The supply of ammunition was steadily getting shorter. G.H.Q. received the ammunition from the War Office in the form of ammunition trains, which I myself distributed daily amongst the armies. I was always hearing what they required, and knew how little I could give them. Mine was indeed a sad and harassing task.
The situation on the Western Front gave cause for greater anxiety than I had anticipated, but at that time I did not realize its full significance. It was just as well. Otherwise I should never have had the courage to take the important decision to transfer still more divisions from the heavily-engaged Western Front to the Eastern, in order to recover the initiative there and deal Rumania a decisive blow.
The Field-Marshal and I intended, as soon as conditions allowed, to go to the Western Front to see for ourselves how matters really stood there. Our task was to organize a stiffer defence and advise generally. But before we went there, some divisions were got ready for Rumania and H.M. the Emperor was induced to give the momentous order for the cessation of the offensive at Verdun. That offensive should have been broken off immediately it assumed the character of a battle of attrition. The gain no longer justified the losses. On the defensive we had only to hold out in a battle of attrition forced upon us.
On the Italian Front, too, the situation had become worse. In the north, the Austrian troops as early as July retifed to the heights north of the Asiago-Arsiero line, and in the course of a further Isonzo battle in August had to abandon positions they had long held, Gorizia and, south of it, the Doberdo portion of the Carso Plateau were left in the hands of the Italians.
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