THE ITALIAN POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1012, 3 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN POSITION.

GREAT BATTLE IN PROGRESS. AUSTRO-G ERMA NS RISKING EVERYTHING. (United Service.) Received November 3, 11.10 a.m. ROME, Nov. 2. Tho Austro-Germans are risking everyking upon completing the Italian rout boore the Allies arrive.' A great battle is impending upon tho plains, perhaps deciding -he whole war. ANGLO-FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS. ARRIVED ON TACIT AM ENTO.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received November 3, 10.50 a.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 2. Cables from Romo state that 30,000 Germans, including two divisions and their generals, were killed on the Bainsizza. Plateau, Anglo-French reinforcements have arrived on the Tagliamento.

BRAVE THIRD ARMY. THEIR VALOROUS RETREAT. HOW THE ITALIANS WERE TRAPPED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, Received November 3. 10.50 a.in. LONDON, Nov. 2. War correspondents pay a tribute to the courage and tenacity of the Italian Third Army during the retreat. The rearguard performed prodigies of valour despite persistent enemy shelling, and covered the withdrawal of the guns by repeatedly charging the advancing Austrians five; times and driving thorn hack into Vallone. When the, Austrians were likely to occupy positions commanding the Isonzo bridges, the troops on the Carso bravely resisted while the artillery, by a superhuman effort, manhandled the guns over the Isonzo. The Borsaglieri and Alpini specially distinguished themselves. The Alpini at Monte Nero appear to have fought until they wore exhausted, and wore still resisting on Saturday, three days after the Germans hurst through, living , on one day’s rations. Aviators last saw them bravely holding the position and dropped bread upon the lines. A wounded officer, who managed to escape from Monte Nero, states that the ; appearance of the Germans in their rear j was an almost overwhelming surprise. It transpires that the Germans tle'-’orly j deluded the Italians by leaving themselves j a clear passage in one small sector while 1 they rained shells on the remainder of the j front. The bombardment was so, terrific ll that the Italians were utterly helpless, and ! while it lasted they could only shelter in | caverns and dugouhs. Gas shells were particularly effective. When {lie tornado ceased the mischief was already done, because, during the drumfire and amid the thick clouds of smoko and gas, the Italians wore, unable to observe the small sector loft uiidiolled. i Tho Germans meanwhile broke through j.

this sector. When the Italians wore prepared to meet (ho oncoming l foe they found themselves cut off in their rear.

ITALIAN REPORT. J RECIPROCAL ARTILLERY INC.. Australian-Now Zealand Ca-blo Aesociatia i. 5. (Reuter’s Telegram.) \ Received November 3. 10.50 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 2. An Italian officii message says: "Thef'e was reciprocal artillerying on the T:sgl|arnento. Our machine gun fire repulsed enemy patrols, which advanced to ilif 1 , jiwr trank.