GERMANS LURKING IN' "FUNK HOLES"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 56, 29 November 1917, Page 5

GERMANS LURKING IN' "FUNK HOLES"

ENEMY'S STERN ORDER TO BATTLE SHIRKERS,

(Rec. November 28, 9.30 p.m.) London, November 27. Renter's correspondent at British I Lrndquartors reports: "A written German order has been found stating that if soldiers were found lurking in a big dug-out and did not come out immediately and fight tho lurking placo would bo blown up. It was further directed that this order should bo rend aloud to the whole battalion.—Router. ANOTHER FIERCE ONSLAUGHT REPULSED BY THE ITALIANS SEVERE LOSSES INFLICTED SEVERE DEFEAT INFLICTED ON CRACK AUSTRIAN DIVISION London, November 27. An Italian official report states: "After a furious bombardment at tho Colvellii Berrctta, cast of tho Brenta Valley, the enemy launched a whole infantry division. A fierce struggle ensued, and a barrage isolated tho defenders. They would, perhaps, havo been compelled to givo ground, hut tho Sicilians and Alpini traversed the zono of death, charged the enemy, and forced him back with severe losses, leaving prisoners in our hands."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. ENEMY BRINGING UP VAST CONCENTRATION OF ARTILLERY (Eec. November 28, 7.25 p.m.) Rome, November 27. The Austro-Germans are bringing up a vast concentration of artillery in order to overcome tho mountainous barriers protecting tho Venetian Plain. During tho last iwenty-four hours tho enemy constantly attacked, but met i with a determined Italian resistance. Massed Gorman attacks were also cut to pieces in two attempts to capture tho Italian shore positions on tno Lower Piave.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CRACK AUSTRIAN DIVISION SEVERELY BEATEN m SPITE OF SUPERIORITY OF FIRE AND NUMBERS. (Rec. November 29, 0.5 a.m.) London, November 28. An Italian semi-official report states: "The renowned Austrian Third Edelweiss Division, composed of troops of German extraction, and other enemy forces, wero severely beaten at Colboretta. They made massed attacks after a very drum fire. Crushing; superiority of fire and numbers enabled tho assailants to penetrate our advanced line and reach a mountain battory, but fierce counter-attacks in tho faco of a violent barrage resulted in tho rout of the enemy. Thus an attempted advance along tho Val Sugann was frustrated."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor. ITALIAN ARMY NOW COMPLETELY RESTORED

(R«c. November 29, 1.85 a.m.) Rome, November 28. The correspondent of the "Messagero" states that the Italian reserves have now been completely reorganised, enabling fresh troops to bo continually launched against the enemy. The Italian war factories have replaced the whole number of guns which wero lost. Apart from the Allies' artillery, the- numerical superiority of the Italian troops has now been restored. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. RELENTLESS SAPPING OF GERMANY'S MAN-POWER WHY THE ENEMY ATTACKED ITALY. (Ree. November 28, 5.5 p.m.) Washington, November, 27. Mr. Newton D. Baker (United Statos Secretary for War) states that a communique from the Allies shows that the relentless sapping of Germany's man-power which is proceeding on the West front transcends tho territorial gains. Germany attacked Italy hoping to divert enough Anglo-French troops to prevent further offensives and that continued attacks would eventually result in a. softening of their enemy's West _ front line. Tho communique characterises tho British strategy at Cambrai as daringly conceived and brilliantly executed.. Italy's steady resistanco is intimately connected with tho Cambrai victory/'and tho Italians' moralo is daily improving.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. THE BRITISH MARCH THROUGH ITALY MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE DESCRIBED BY A CORRESPONDENT. London, November 27. Reuter's correspondent at Italian Headquarters, telegraphing on November 26, describes the magnificent spectaclo of the British troops marching through Italy, tho units, comprising cavalry, artillery, and infantry, oxtending along tho roads for miles, with all tho other branches of tho Army following. The infantry has been marching steadily for days, covering sixteen miles per day. The artillery is equipped with a great number of guns, and is accompanied by endless lines of lorries, carts, pontoons, and tho other accessories of a complete army. The British forces are eager to get into tho fight, and the Austnans and Germans may soon be unpleasantly surprised. The Three Danger Points. Describing the Italian position, the correspondent says that the enemy is vigorously pressing at three points: Tho first, on tho Tomba mountaiu and at Monfenera, the latter being a spur of Monto Tomba. The crest has fallen, but tho heroic defence has rendered the situation stationary. Behind Tomba and Monfenera supplementary defences arc being prepared, and will minimise the loss if Tomba and Monfenera fall, although a considerable advance here might force the Piave. The second point of attack is at San Martino, on the Brenta, and the third point on the Asiago Plateau, especially at Mount Meletta, where the enemy has maintained steady pressure among the snows for n fortnight. Thanks to tho grim determination of the Italian infantry, tho enemy's attempts have been defeated.-—Reuter.