HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE ITALIAN FRONT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 65, 10 December 1917, Page 5

HEAVY FIGHTING ON THE ITALIAN FRONT

ONMTK-SCARRED ASIAGO TERRIFIC PRESSURE GALLANTLY RESISTED (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) Rome, December 8. An Italian official report states:—"The battle continues on the Asiago Plateau. Our artillery prevented an advance by the enemy's masses, enabling a withdrawal from the Monte Meletta salient. Our machine-gun fire drovo back the enemy in disorder in the Frenzela Valley. The enemy attempted to break through with large forces southward of Gallic Our resistance enabled us to link up our line, thus arresting the enemy's advance at Monte Sisemol, after repelling six assaults."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reu-ter. GERMANS CLAIM THE CAPTURE OP MONTE SISEMOL (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 7. A German official report states:—"We have captured Monte Sisemol. The number of Italian prisoners captured by us now totals fifteen thou-sand."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. COMMENTS ON THE SITUATION A NEW NOXIOUS GAS SHELL. (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 8. Mr. Jeffries, describing the Italian position, says:—"The enemy's success enables him to bring up his guns and pour il direct fire down the Brenta Valley leading to the plains behind the Piave lines. The' enemy is using a new noxious.shell, which induces incessant vomiting, nausea, and weakness."—"Tho Times." ENORMOUS MASSES IN ACTION. ' ' ; London, December 7. . Mr. Julius M. Price (war correspondent) writes:—"General Conrad von HoetzendorfPs thrust north-east of Asiago continues with great intensity and disregard for losses. The enemy aims at forcing the Italian positions defonding tho entrance to tho Val Frenzela-Bassano Road. The Austrians and Germans are utilising enormous numbers of men. The weather is springlike, and favours the attackers." TERRIFIC PRESSURE ON ITALIAN WING. (Rec. December 9, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, December 8. British correspondents on tho Italian front state that the Austrian front north-east of Asiago is developing an ever-increasing intensity. Under the pressuro of the enemy's irresistible numerical'superiority the Italians behaved magnificently during twenty-four_ hours of continuous attacks. At one spot, which was defended by the Alpini and the Bersaglieri, not a single survivor was left. The officers swore that they would be killed to a man rather than surrender, and they carried out their resolution. The Italians, outnumbered by two to one on a six-mile front, swung back their wing until it reached the Brenta Valley. Their counter-attacks were costly and hopeless, but were essential in order to delay the deployment of the enemy's re-serves.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.