Military Intelligence Dispatches from George M. Smith-Cumming to Ralph Van Deman

WCD 103041 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.

October 4th, 1917.
The ground gained in our offensive yesterday is of great importance and includes all the highest part of the ridge East of Ypres. Enemy losses have been exceptionally heavy owing to his method of counter-attacking in mass formation, the method which he has been forced to adopt because our Artillery superiority renders the defense of a regular trench system very difficult. Hence the weakening of his front line necessitates immediate counter-attacks.

From January 1st to September 20th, British captures in all theatres were 72,013 prisoners and 470 guns. Of these 51,435 prisoners and 332 guns were captured in Western theatre.

Our success at Ramsie in Mesopotamia on September 29th gives us the advantage of the most favourable defensive position on the Euphrates line of advance. It deprives the enemy of the best advanced base of operations on this line, and goes far towards removing any danger of an outflanking movement round our left. It also enables us to economize our troops and reduce the danger of a serious attack from this direction. In Arabia reports indicate the increasing seriousness of the situation. In Medina the Turks are displaying great anxiety regarding an Arab rising.

Our pressure in East Africa on the remainder of the enemy forces is increasing, and they are experiencing serious difficulties of transport and supply.
CHIEF.

WCD 103042 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 5th, 1917.
The success of our methods of attack is shown by the increased losses of the enemy during recent operations, and the reduced casualties amongst our troops. Since September 1st, 3 and possibly 4 German Divisions have been transferred from Russia to France, and one has been transferred from France to Russia. There are now 149 divisions in the West and 88 in the East.

In the last attack at Ypres, 12 British Divisions were engaged against 11 German Divisions.

A recent explosion at Haidar Pasha in Turkey has effected serious damage to station buildings, rolling stocks, as well as munitions of war and equipment destined for the Turkish Armies in Syria and Mesopotamia. It is possible that this may interfere with the preparations which are apparently proceeding for an offensive in Mesopotamia.

The shortage of Turkish Officers appears to be so great that boys of 16 who can read and write are being drafted into units.
CHIEF.

WCD 103043 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 6th, 1917.
From the following figures it is possible to gain an idea of the extent of the British effort in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The total number of troops in Mesopotamia including followers and labour Corps is 355,000. Nearly one-third of these are at or above Bagdad at the end of a line of communications 560 miles by river and 420 by road. About 480 miles of railway have been constructed. 1,000 boats are employed on the Tigris conveying a weekly average of 25,000 tons. The port of Basrah is capable of discharging 110,000 tons per month.

In Egypt our total force amounts to over 200,000, of whom about 160,000 are in Palestine. Over 180 miles of railway have been built capable of carrying 90,000 tons a month. This line is in process of being doubled. A pipe line of over 200 miles in length has been laid down to our advanced position. This line discharges nearly a million gallons per day.
CHIEF.

WCD 103044 Received W.C.D., O.C.S.. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 7th, 1917.

On the Western Front since the morning of October 4th our captures have been: 4,846 prisoners, including 114 officers. Prisoners have been taken from 24 regiments out of 11 divisions.

An attack on Ezel Island in the Baltic Sea is expected as a preliminary combined operation against Pernau.

Our occupation of Ramadie Menali in Mesopotamia is reported to be effecting the Turkish supply situation considerably.
CHIEF.

WCD 103045 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 8th, 1917.
Great damage has been effected on enemy communications by recent air raids. There is direct evidence to hand that among other results damage done to Ledeberg Junction, South Ghent caused suspension of traffic on lines passing through that important station for the space of several days. Great damage has also been done to Airdromes.

Several rear lines of defense have been constructed by the enemy between St. Quentin and Mosell, and every preparation has been made for a retreat from Laon salient. A withdrawal in this sector is possible. In Austria the disaffection among Czechs is so serious that several depots of Czechs Regiments have been transferred to Hungary.
CHIEF.

WCD 103046 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 9th, 1917.
Since October 4th, 14 German Divisions have been engaged at Ypres on a 6-division frontage. Since the beginning of the battle, the number of German divisions engaged is 57, of which 13 have been engaged twice; 56 have been withdrawn, of which 30 suffered exceptionally heavy losses in counter-attacks. Since April 9th, 139 German Divisions have been engaged on the Allied battle front, of which 137 have been engaged more than once. There are only 21 divisions in the line which have not fought on battle fronts this year, and of these only 4 are fighting divisions.

During our recent air raids, one bomb hit an officers' club in a town behind the enemy's lines and killed several officers, including a divisional commander.
CHIEF.

WCD 103047 Received W.C.D., O.C.S.. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 10th, 1917.
Our attack on October 9th, in Flanders secured very valuable ground on the main ridge South and East of Passchendaele. The left of our attack where we gained Poelcapelle and reached the outskirts of the forest of Houthulst was also most successful. Here we are on higher and more favorable ground. In the salient between our new front and the floods South of Dixmude the enemy's position is becoming increasingly disadvantageous.

In East Africa the Belgians have occupied Mahenge, and in this area the enemy's forces are almost completely surrounded. The enemy's main force is being attacked in the Southeast from three directions. Its losses are very heavy and its retreat endangered.
CHIEF.

WCD 103048 Received W.C.D., O.C.S. Oct. 13, 1917.
SECRET.
October 11th, 1917.An orderly of the enemy captured on the Ypres Front admits that their losses have been out of all proportions to the result attained, and that their tactics will have to be altered. During the recent fighting, the enemy has relied on a front line consisting of isolated posts weakly held, and on counter-attacks. The ordinary trench system was abandoned, owing to its destruction by our superior artillery fire. The enemy now realizes that this method was very wasteful and ineffectual, and he is again returning to a continuous trench line. These changes indicate clearly the success of our methods and the failure of the enemy to find a successful means of meeting them.

NOTE.It is important that the enemy does not find out that this information has been discovered.
CHIEF.