The conflict on the Western front fluctuates spasmodically, and of late the line has undergone few important changes. The attacks and counter-attacks south of Lens, and the rather heavy fighting just south of the Arras-Cambrai road, have not produced notable modifications in the situation. The Western Allies are beginning to feel more acutely the consequences of the paralysis of the Russian campaign, which for the time being enables the enemy to concentrate men and heavy guns in France and Flanders to an extent which could not have been foreseen when the Allies planned their spring operations. Meanwhile, it is noticeable that the area of greatest activity shows a tendency to shift northward. The Somme, the Scarpe, and the little River Souchez have each in turn been the chief centre of interest, but the Flanders front is becoming increasingly prominent in the bulletins. A violent artillery duel has been in progress both east and west of Ypres, though we hear of it chiefly in German statements, and it may have no special significance.
The remarkable development lies in the attacks being made from the air and sea upon German positions on and near the Belgian coast. Squadrons of British naval aeroplanes have repeatedly bombed Zeebrugge and Bruges harbours, and have also attacked the aerodromes in this region. Yesterday there was a heavy naval bombardment of the enemy’s base at Ostend, followed by a naval action, for our harassing forced a German flotilla of destroyers to put to sea. This was chased by Commodore Tyrwhitt, who pursued with his light cruisers and destroyers, which sank a German destroyer by gunfire. Air warfare in the West continually expands in scope, and the German attack on the Thames estuary last evening is a reminder that the enemy are still active in this form of invasion. We congratulate, by the way, the Director of Information on a marked improvement in the speed and frankness with which this latest incident has been communicated to the public. The first bulletin, written while the attack was in progress at 6.30, was in the newspaper offices within little more than an hour and it was followed with unusual promptitude by a reasonably full account of the localities attacked and the damage done.