Very possibly the Germans may try to anticipate the attack
on them by an attack on the Allies. But even if they do, we and the French will be the real attackers. The Germans will he on the defensive, just as are those who make a counter-attack, or carry out a sortie from a besieged place. The artillery duel which will open and continue the operations will be on a scale and of a duration without any parallel in the world's history. Each side will try to blow the other's works to pieces, to exalt the valleys (i.e., fill up the ditches), and to level the hills (i.e., fling down the parapets). That wo shall not be wanting in the mat ter of explosives of all kinds is an open secret. To say more would be to boast, and the matter is far too serious for light words. Our confidence as regards the end was, however, never greater. We shall win, and the longer the delay the more absolutely complete will be our victory.
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