Edouard J. Réquin to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Edouard J. Réquin to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Réquin, Edouard, 1879-1953
Identifier
WWP21521
Date
1917 June 17
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Dear Admiral Grayson
Thank you for your kind letter of Juni 14.
My last information permit to state precisely some matters of my first letter:
a)The percentage of our losses in men and material during the transportation to Salonica from October 1st 1915 to June 1st 1917 is:
0, 34 % in men
2, 8 % in material and supplies.
(This confidential information can not be published of course)
These figures which apply to the transportation of hundreds thousands men clearly shows that the fast ships carrying men suffer less than the cargo boats carrying material.
In the connection it is well to recall that the transportation of the Serbian Army of about 120 000 men from Corfu and from Bizet to Salonica, in 1916, was carried out without a loss, thanks to the excellent measures for protection by the navy, even though the enemy submarines were well informed!
B)Concerning the military situation, it is confirmed that, from the opening of 1917 the enemy maintains on all his fronts a purely defensive attitude, caused by the Allies’ offensives.
On the principal anglo-french front, for the first time this year, the Allies have assembled a quantity of material, heavy Artillery and ammunitions, which allow them to use their superiority in men. But to finish victoriously the war, this numerical superiority should be increased as much as possible and you will understand easily the value of the American aid.
The German, indeed, understand the danger, and to avoid having their Western front broken, they reinforced to the maximum, being brought up to 156 divisions
1.) by calling 26 of the 27 divisions created in Germany since January 1st 1917 (with jungmen enlisted of 1918 wounded recovered and all retrieved men!)
2) by deducting all the available troops on the Russian front (deductions made possible by inertia up to day of Russian Army)
3) by making changes from one front to the other. The divisions used in France or the worst were exchanged with the best divisions of the Eastern front.)
Because of the change for the better in the situation of the Russian Army for some time, we consider that the enemy is not able now to make any further deductions. Since May 15th the transport of troops from one front to the other has assumed the character of exchange of units practically number for number—if not for value. (The proportion of German bad units to day is, after this exchange, 1/9 on the French front and 1/4 on the Russian-front—)
On the other hand, the franco-british offensive commencing on April 16th had already entailed on June 12th the employment of 108 German divisions (several of which have been engaged twice with heavy losses!)
In review, the battle offensive of 1917 is developing fully and the Allies’ situation appears favorable. In the difficult conditions, when Germany is obliged to defend itself, it would seem that the equilibrium would be broken, if the Russian Army undertook a vigorous offensive and if American forces, (even without very much material for beginning(1)) increase rapidly the superiority in men on the Western front—I have any difficulty to explain my opinion in english; but I hope you will excuse me.
With kind regards to Mrs Grayson I beg to remain
Sincerely yours
E Réquin
Thank you for your kind letter of Juni 14.
My last information permit to state precisely some matters of my first letter:
a)The percentage of our losses in men and material during the transportation to Salonica from October 1st 1915 to June 1st 1917 is:
0, 34 % in men
2, 8 % in material and supplies.
(This confidential information can not be published of course)
These figures which apply to the transportation of hundreds thousands men clearly shows that the fast ships carrying men suffer less than the cargo boats carrying material.
In the connection it is well to recall that the transportation of the Serbian Army of about 120 000 men from Corfu and from Bizet to Salonica, in 1916, was carried out without a loss, thanks to the excellent measures for protection by the navy, even though the enemy submarines were well informed!
B)Concerning the military situation, it is confirmed that, from the opening of 1917 the enemy maintains on all his fronts a purely defensive attitude, caused by the Allies’ offensives.
On the principal anglo-french front, for the first time this year, the Allies have assembled a quantity of material, heavy Artillery and ammunitions, which allow them to use their superiority in men. But to finish victoriously the war, this numerical superiority should be increased as much as possible and you will understand easily the value of the American aid.
The German, indeed, understand the danger, and to avoid having their Western front broken, they reinforced to the maximum, being brought up to 156 divisions
1.) by calling 26 of the 27 divisions created in Germany since January 1st 1917 (with jungmen enlisted of 1918 wounded recovered and all retrieved men!)
2) by deducting all the available troops on the Russian front (deductions made possible by inertia up to day of Russian Army)
3) by making changes from one front to the other. The divisions used in France or the worst were exchanged with the best divisions of the Eastern front.)
Because of the change for the better in the situation of the Russian Army for some time, we consider that the enemy is not able now to make any further deductions. Since May 15th the transport of troops from one front to the other has assumed the character of exchange of units practically number for number—if not for value. (The proportion of German bad units to day is, after this exchange, 1/9 on the French front and 1/4 on the Russian-front—)
On the other hand, the franco-british offensive commencing on April 16th had already entailed on June 12th the employment of 108 German divisions (several of which have been engaged twice with heavy losses!)
In review, the battle offensive of 1917 is developing fully and the Allies’ situation appears favorable. In the difficult conditions, when Germany is obliged to defend itself, it would seem that the equilibrium would be broken, if the Russian Army undertook a vigorous offensive and if American forces, (even without very much material for beginning(1)) increase rapidly the superiority in men on the Western front—I have any difficulty to explain my opinion in english; but I hope you will excuse me.
With kind regards to Mrs Grayson I beg to remain
Sincerely yours
E Réquin
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Réquin, Edouard, 1879-1953, “Edouard J. Réquin to Cary T. Grayson,” 1917 June 17, WWP21521, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.