THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16068, 26 November 1917, Page 7

THE ITALIAN THEATRE.

ENEMY STILL HELD

POWERFUL THRUSTS REPULSED

;By Cable.—Pre«s Association. —Copyright.) vAustraliiui and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Reuter'a Telesrrajns.) (Received November 2oth, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. An Italian official report states: — •'Powerful enemy thrusts bctwcef-i he Asiago Plateau and tho Brenf.a ailed.

11 ' Our artillery stopped enemy attempts to cross tho Piavo in boats. "We repulsed an attack southward of Loftimia, in Albania." LONDON, November 23. An Italian official message says: — "AVe repulsed with severe losses :i strong attempted cneircling attack against Monte Melotta and the Asiago plateau, preceded by a big bombardment of tear shells. "We finally held all our positions. "Tho enemy renewed lias attacks yesterday between tho Brenta and tho Piave, resulting in a fierco struggle lasting all day long. "Several positions were lost and re"Our last counter-attack definitely stopped the enemy.'' OFFICIAL GERMAN REPORTS. LONDON, November 23. A German official report states: — •'ltalian attacks westward of the Bronta- and between the Brenta and the Piave xailed. LONDON November 23. A German official messago states: — "lighting between the Bronta and tho Piavo is i>rogressing in our favour." EBB AND FLOW OF BATTLE. (Received November 25th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. An Italian semi-official report, describing tho enemy's attempts to break through between tho Brenta and the Piave, on November 216t and November 22nd, says:— "Most of the enemy masses on Thursday exerted pressure in the regions of Monto Tomba and Monto Monfenera. Six Austro-German regiments attemptod to encircle our right wing and dislodge the Italians from tho right bank of tho Piavo. Tho fetrugglo was most violent until night fell. "The battle continues with varying fortunes. Tho enemy's losses are severe. Our prisoners state that tho enemy is surprised at the vehemence of our counter-attacks." CRUCIAL BATTLE DEVELOPING. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 23. Mr Perccval Gibbon, writing from Italy, states that tho enemy ig concentrating upon an effort to capturo Monto Tomba, advance across tho Piave between Fener and WidOr villages, and then blast a road to Hurst and the Venice plain. The enemy's artillery cbnsists or largo numbers of 6in guns, mounted on motor lorries. Tho pressuro in this sector never relaxes. A great } crucial battle is developing in tho triangle between Monte Cornelia, Monto Tomba, and tho Piavo river. Tho fighting on tho lower Piave has crystallised into a defence of the line of tho Silo with the Venetian lagoon beyond. The Country here is below sea level, and is flooded. Naval guns on rafts occupy tho lagoons. One hit an Austrian bridge at Grisloora at 16,000 yards. "When tho bridge was rebuilt a monitor smashed it with a 12in gun." ENEMY PRESSURE DIMINISHING. ROME, November. 23. The enemy pressure is diminihing evorywhere, except at Monte Grappa, where the Germans are launching assault after assault, and suffering tho heaviest losses. News of the British victories in France and Palestine was communicated to the enemy by means of leaflets dropped from aeroplanes. HINDENBURG'S PLANS. ROME, November 23. A Benie message states that Marshal von Hindenburg has planned a rapid total collapo of Italy, intending then to attack France from tho south.