HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE PIAVE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 47, 19 November 1917, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE PIAVE

STUBBORN DEFENCE BY THE ITALIANS REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVING IN GREATER NUMBERS . i \ By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright ; (Eeo. November 18. '5.5, p.m.) ■ ■ London, November 17. An Italinn official report states:—"We maintain our front from the Asaigo Plateau to tie Piave. Despite an intense fire and violent attacks wo resisted and counter-attacked, taking prisoners and retaining all our positions. Artillery firing continues across the Piave."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ecuter. ENEMY ATTACKS DOGGEDLY RESISTED VENICE BEING STRIPPED OF ITS TREASURES. (Bee. November 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, November h. Mr J M. N. Jeffries writes from Italian Headquarters-.-"Tho enemy is desoerately" attaokine, and the Italians are doggedly resisting whore they fought the great defensive battles of 1916, amid the last resting-places i of slain comrades They are determined not to.vield these tombs or to allow an enemy force'entrance to the plains. The enemy is' using fresh.reserves, and giving no respite, the Italians almost annihilating massed attacks at Monte Konson, and they throw back an entire division at llontes Fier. Castel, and Comberto. The main bulwarks of the defence remain firm.... Van ce is rapidly emptying, and only twenty thousand of its population remain. All Temovablo art works have gone, and the ducal palaces have been stripped. Most shops have been closed The remaining inhabitants are cheerful and oonfidont. Jfclbah monitors are participating in the defence of the Piave, bombarding the enemy at tho river-mouth."—"The Times." _____ BATTLE RAGING ON SEVENTY-FIVE-MILE FRONT (Rec. November 18, 11.5 p.m.) .■ „ ' London, November 17. An Italian Headouarters correspondent reports that the battle is raging in kriiw Xther on a seventy-fivo miles front,, from the mountains to tho eea. arfunding the Sette Comuni Plateau, and making ioknt aK~Uar toXso made at Verdun, but at shorter interval, with The Italians on Monte Crappa, 6000 feet in height, are ™thffiing the enemy waves and preventing a descent on Asiago Treviso, a_dVtaSS The struggle is fiercest along the Piave where the. Italians, by great Sees, have almost reconqaered tho Zendpn bend.-Eeuter. ENEMY TROOPS FORCE A PASSAGE BUT ARE CUT UP BY THE DEFENDERS. ' (Reo. 1 November 18, 11.5 p.m.) London, November 17. An Italian official report states: "The enemy, not considering his losses, ? renewed his attacks from the Asiago Plateau to the sea, between Sette Tuel and San Andreedi Barbarano. The en emy forced a passage under the protection of a most violent artillery fire, and crossed to tho right bonk at Mima and Fagaro. Our artillery destroyed the enemy at Follina, We took 800 survivors prisoners. We heavily attacked the greater numbor of those who crossed at Fagare, taking 600 prisoners. Our artillery shelled the rest, hindering their return td the other bank. The enemy troops at the Zendon loop are being closed in in'a restricted zone."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.ißeuter. NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT. (Rec. November 18, 5 p.m.) London, November 17. Mr. Percival Gibbon writes:. "South U Doiiadi Piave, where the enemy crossed, the Italians broke the irrigation canals and floofled th*e country to a depth of three feet. The enemy secured boats, and are now engaged by naval forces on the northern edge of tho 'Venetian lagoon. The enemy has a terrible numerical superiority in aircraft."—Eeuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT. , (Eec. November 17, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 16. A German official report states: "Wo have captured several hill positions to the north-east of Gallic oh both sides of the Breata Valley. Wo have captured Cismon. .There is intense artillery work on the lower Piave. Tho Hungarians took 1000 prisoners on the west bank, near tho sea."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.-Reuter. . s (Eec. November 18, 11.5 p,m.) London, November 17. A German official roport states: "Despite tho stubborn defence, the AustroGermans climbed Monte Prasolan, between the Brenta and tho Piave, and took 800 prisoners."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ' y •- e AUSTRIAN FLEET BOMBARDING THE PIAVE ESTUARY. ' (Roc. November 18, 11.20 p.m.) , Amsterdam, November 17. Austrian messages state that dotaehmente' of tho Austrian Fleet 2M. on the Italian troops and batteries at tho Kavo Estuary.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ANGLO-FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS GETTING INTO THE LINES ' ' 1 ' BRITISH TROOPS IN HIGH SPIRITS. (Eoc. November 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 17. Mr. Ward Price reports that each day Anglo-French reinforcements inch Italy in greater numbers. Some cf the Frenoh, in order to relieve the congestion on tho railways, marched across the Alps, through passes already covered with snow, repeating Napoleon's achievements. Those who have already arrived are taking their appointed places in' the Italian schome of 1 defence. The mon from the trenches are delighted with tho change in tho scene. Tho Britishers are in high spirits in the new adventure, singing the latest songs 'Ono might think thoy wero coming to gather tho fruits of a ready-made victory not to make a desperate effort to help retrieve a defeat. The Italians are 1 Biirnrised at the Britishers' demonstrative cheerfulness, and tho towns are receiving them well, the Scotsmen's kilts having their inevitable success—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. \ FINE DISCIPLINE DISPLAYED BY NAVAL GARRISONS. (Roc. November 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 17. An Italian semi-official report speaks of the discipline and perfect order ,-Wa?terising the retirement of the naval garrisons on the right wing. They cnaiiuAei o wa _ fflator j a ] ( wfl i C h n o W confronts the enemy in new positions. S™ renulsed attempt* at » crossing bnlow Itovedoli. Tho Italian naval forces D „instantly protecting this flank and repeatedly bombarding'enemy rafts attempting"to cross the Piavo.-Aus.N.Z, Cable Assn.-Eeuter. ITALY IN FAVOUR OF A STRONG INTER-ALLIED COMMAND. (Eec. Novomber 18, 5.5 p.m.) \ . London, November 17. TK« "Tljiilv Telegraph's" Rome correspondent states rthat the newspapers : when commenting on tne now War Council disclosed that the feeling in &ly k tXuhZto iS of »f>X\"_ a SL ' ln6tMd et *'* ,nter " Allied board of consultation only .-United 1 ress.