MACKENSEN PLANNING GREAT ASSAULT ON ITALY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16697, 15 November 1917, Page 5

MACKENSEN PLANNING GREAT ASSAULT ON ITALY.

■ STRONG ENEMY ATTACK ON ASIAGO REPULSED.

V TROOPS MASSED ON LINE FIFTY MILES IN EXTENT.

FORMIDABLE CONCENTRATION OF REINFORCEMENTS.

i/'/,'*' . Australian and N.Z. (Received 9.30 p.m.) ROME. Nov. 13. • ••• >•'. * • ggfj> General von Mackensen is directing the Italian offensive from m Bolzano, in the Austrian Tyrol. He intends a combined attack on the g||ip Piave and Trentino frontsAn Italian official report states: We repulsed a strong attack on the Asiago Plateau. After a desperate struggle, inflicting serious Iff Josses, we captured an enemy detachment west of Asiago, releasing , . some of our men. The enemy is in contact with our lines from the "j ' Brenta River to the Lower Piave. The enemy by means of large boats crossed the Piave, establishing a bridgehead at Zen,son. We counter-attacked, driving him back towards the river. lililL '■ . • - JR«utsr. (Received 11.45 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 14. IP! • A correspondent at Italian headquarters, writing on November 12, Sfgr states that the troops occupying the regions of Carnia, north of the s\' Tagliamento and Cancorne, succeeded,in retiring with small losses, and |g||| rejoined the main army, whose new line runs from the sea to the slopes of toe Alps. Thence following the slopes it ascends the Brenta ' River, and traverses Sugana Valley, with a total length of 50 miles, where the enemy is now directing' four armies. The southernmost I force is commanded by General von Buelow, the next northwards is General Boroevick'a army, General Krobatin is commanding in the ~ Cadore sector, while General von Hoetzendorf is endeavouring to break through on the Trentino front. It is stated that the enemy f.J reserves hereabouts are imposing and are constantly increasing. ', • ' Admiralty per Wireless. (Received 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 18. A German official report states: We have captured Monte Longara, ; Our troops advancing in the mountains between Val Sugana and Cismon Valley stormed two armoured forts. Fonzaso is ours. We )■:{ captured further high positions south of Sugana Valley.