ITALY'S WAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17936, 1 November 1918, Page 5

ITALY'S WAR.

ALLIED ADVANCE. THE ENEMY RETREATING. L ud N.2. Cabin Association and Reuter. LONDON, October 30. An Italian communique states:—Our Eighth and Twelfth Armies attacked the enemy frontally, while the Tenth Army threatened his flank. The enemy abandoned positions on the heights Of the left bank of the Piave, and is retreating, hard pressed. We liberated numerous villages, and our parties closely followed up tho enemy, who blew up bridges on the Monticano. Wo entered Conegliano, to the northward. On the right of the Piavo we co-operat-ed with troops on the left bank, and after a lively and brilliant struggle passed beyond Calcino torrent. Bitter lighting continues in tho region of tho Grappa. We captured IUOO prisoners and over ton guns, of which many are already in action against the enemy. Latest telegrams, from Italian headquarters state that the Tenth Army is advancing rapidly, and is already using a large number of abandoned Austrian batteries. Tho advance renders the Austrian position perilous to the southward as the heavy ‘ inundations of the entire low-lying region along tho coast allow only the narrowest territory for eventual retreat. Over one hundred villages east of tho Piavo alrendy have been liberated. The advance continues on a sixty kilometre front. A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received October 31, 7.45 p.m.) October 30. A British-Italian official message states:—Tho Tenth Army since tho commencement of tho operations has taken 11,000 prisoners, of which tho 14th British Corps captured 6176 and a number of guns and material. The Mauello group of armies made a magnificent advance and took many prisoners.

ITALIANS REACH VITTORIO.

A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.

(Received Ocobcr 31, 7.45 p.m.)

LONDON, October 31. An Italian official message states:— Between tho Brenta and the sea threequarters of the Italian army is engaged, in conjunction with tho 14th British Army Corps, a French division and an American infantry regiment. Eastward of the Piave 'the enemy is yielding . under formidable pressure, \Ve gamed advantages yesterday in tho region of Monte Pertica and the Col dell Grso. Our operations astride the Piave resulted in the capture of Segusini and Mount Cesin. 'We reached tho outskirts of Quero. Onr Eighth Army reached Vittorio and is now fighting northward of Conegliano. Our Third Army crossed the Piave at S. Dona di Piave and- eastward of Zenson. Tho prisoners total 33,000 and several hundred guns.

LIVENZA RIVER REACHED. (Received November 1, 1.23 a.m.) NEW YORK. October. 30. The Italians have reached the Livenza River. AUSTRIANS ADMIT RETREAT.. A. and N.Z. Cablo Association and Router. •LONDON, October 30. A wireless Austrian official report states: —On the battlefr.Qnt wo evacuated a most strongly attacked sector. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received November 1, 12.50 a.m.) VANCOUVER, October 31. A Vienna message states: —In view of the desire for peace., our troops on Italian '"'Soil are evacuating the occupied regions. A FURIOUS BATTLE. RO3IE, October 30. The English and Italians, after occupying the islands of the Piave. near erravo dr Papadopoli, waded the river with great fury, and, continuing the charge, cleared the first line of the enemy. On the other bank the Italians right wing wadod breast-deep under a heavy fire, bearing machine-guns and grenades. Despite the sternest defence, the Bersaglieri, rallying to bugio calls, swept all’before them. ROUT THREATENED. NEW .YORK, October 30. Thirty-two thousand Austrians have been captured on the Piave front. The enemy retreat is threatening to become a rout. J SIXTH EFFORT WINS. 1 ROME, October 30. The crossing of the Piave was a great I feat. The river was swollen and the current ran violently. Rain fell in torrents. The stream was one hundred yards wide. The first storm troops crossed by boats, to assist in the construction of bridges. Thoso were built five times, and everv timo were destroyed by artillery. The sixth effort succeeded. AMERICAN TROOPS ENGAGED. (Received October 31, 7.45 p.m.) ROME, October 30. American troops have crossed the Piave in pursuit of the Austrians.