to be reckoned in our fighting strength, though still in France.  Reorganisation follows.  STRENGTH is built up a little, though CASUALTIES are still heavy.  The IXth Corps is fighting fiercely on the French Front to stem the Paris Thrust in May, and four British Divisions help in Foch’s July counter-thrust.  Guns, despite our losses to the enemy, have again increased.  Guns are now more easily replaced than men.

THE FINAL PHASES.—­Then the final phase.  With decreased FIGHTING STRENGTH but with abundant GUNS (and, be it added, Tanks), we strike our first great blow in the Battle of Amiens on August 8th.  STRENGTH falls abruptly, CASUALTIES are many, but high above the casualty line soars—­for the first time—­the line of PRISONERS.  The toll taken of the German armies increases, as Bapaume and the Scarpe swiftly follow Amiens.

THE VITAL LINE.—­Now the PRISONERS line has become vital.  Consider the position in December before what is, perhaps, the decisive battle of the world war, the breaking of the Hindenburg line.  GUNS are ever increasing, LINE has fallen somewhat, but lower even than in the dark days of spring has fallen the line of FIGHTING STRENGTH.  To the General, studying this line alone, attack upon a position vaunted as impregnable would seem sheer madness.  But he sees the Chart as a whole, with the PRISONERS line dominating everything in its sustained height.  The enemy’s total casualties are incalculable; never have ours been so few in comparison with prisoners taken:  the hammering of previous years has borne fruit:  the German morale, such is the lesson of the line, has gone irretrievably.

THE GREAT DECISION.—­So, despite his own weakness, despite heavy losses not made good, the Commander takes the great decision and stakes all.  He strikes, lets loose the tempest of his guns, and his infantry, diminished but indomitable, sweep through the vast fortresses of the Hindenburg line, hurl the enemy from defence after defence, pass from victory to victory.

Such is the story of the Chart.