THE ITALIAN STRUGGLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17171, 26 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN STRUGGLE

ENCIRCLING ATTACK DEFEATED. FIERCE FIGHTING IN PROGRESS. Australian and TST.Z. Cable Association and Reutar. LONDON, November 23 Italian official: We repulsed with severe losses a strong attempted encircling attack against Melette and the Asiago Plateau, preceded by a big bombardment of tear shells. We firmly held the position. The enemy renewed their attacks yesterday between the Brenta and the Piave. There was a fierce struggle all day long, several positions being lost and regained. Our last counter-attack definitely stopped the enemy. ENEMY PRESSURE DIMINISHING. HEAVY LOSSES SUFFERED. Australian snd N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, November 23. The enemy pressure is diminishing everywhere, except at Monte Grappa, where the Germans are launching assault after assault and suffering very heavy losses. News of the British victories in France and Palestine were communicated to the enemy by leaflets dropped from aeroplanes. . GERMAN CLAIMS. Admiralty per Wireless Presa. LONDON, November 23. German official: The fighting between the Brenta and the Piave is progressing in our favour. HINDENBURG'S PLANS THWARTED. Australian and N Z. Cable Assooidtion. ROME, November 23'. A Berne message states that von Hindenburg had planned for the rapid and total collapse of Italy, intending then to attack France from the south. ITALIANS STANDING BRAVELY. ENEMY EFFORTS FOILED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 24. (Received Nov. 25, at 5.5 p.m.) Italian official: Powerful enemy thrusts between the Asiago Plateau and the Brenta River failed. Our artillerv stopped enemy attempts to cross the Piave in boats. We repulsed an attack southward of Loftimia. A GERMAN ADMISSION. ITALIANS ATTACKING. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, November 24. (Received Nov. 25, at 5.5 p.m.) German official: Italian attacks westward of the Brenta, between the Brenta and the Piave, failed. STRONG-ENEMY PRESSURE. VARYING FORTUNES. VEHEMENCE OF ITALIAN COUNTERATTACKS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and • Reuter. LONDON, November 24. (Received Nov. 25, at 5.5 p.m.) An Italian semi-official message, describing enemy attempts to break through between the Brenta and the Piave on the 21st and 22nd inst., says: Most of the enemy masses on Thursday exerted pressure on Tomba and Monte Fenera, six Austro-German regiments attempting to encircle our right wing and dislodge the Italians from the right bank of the Piave. The struggle was most violent until night, and continued with varving fortune in attacks and counter-attacks. The enemy's losses were servere.

Prisoners we have taken state that the enemy were surprised at the vehemence of our counter-attacks.

fThe cable norrs in this Issue accredited to The Times has a- »earcd in that journal, but only where express-.j stated is such news the editorial opinion of The Times.!