THE ITALIAN STRUGGLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17174, 29 November 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN STRUGGLE

FIERCE ENEMY ATTACK. GALLANT ITALIANS FORCE IT BACK. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association and Reuter. LONDON, November 27. Italian official: After a furious bombardment of the Col della Berrette, eastward of the Brenta Valley, the enemy launched a whole infantry division in attack. A fierce struggle ensued. The enemy barrage isolated tho defenders, who perhaps would have been compelled to give ground, but the Sicilians and Alpini traversed the death zone, charged the enemy, and forced them back with severe losses, leaving some prisoners in our hands.

THREE POINTS OF ATTACH. ENEMY STILL HELD. Router's Telep-ams. LONDON, November 27. Describing the Italian position, Reuter's correspondent at Italian headquarters says: The enemy are vigorously pressing at. three points. The first is at Tomba Mountain and Monte Fonera, the latter being a spur of Tomba. Its crest has fallen, but an heroic defence has rendered the situation stationary. Behind- Tomba and Monte Fenera supplementary defences are being prepared, which will minimise the lo3s if Tomba and Mon-te Fenera fall, although a considerable enemy advance here might force the crossing of the Piave. The second point of attack is San Martius, on the Brenta. The third point is the Asiago Plateau, especially Monte Meleta, where the enemy have maintained a steady pressure among the snows for a fortnight; but, thanks to the grim determination of the Italian infantry, the enemy's attempts have been defeated.

BRITISH REINFORCEMENTS.

EAGER FOR THE FRAY.

A COMPLETE ARMY.

Reuter's Telegrams,

LONDON, November 27. Renter's correspondent at Italian headquarters, telegraphing on November 26, describes the magnificent spectacle of British troops marching through Italy, these comprising cavalry, artillery, and infantry, and extending over the roads for miles, with all other branches of the army following. The infantry have been marching steadily for -days, doing 36 miles a day. The force is equipped -with a great num-/ ber of guns, and accompanied by endless lines of lorries, I carts, pontoons, and all other accessories of a complete army.

The British forces are eager to get into the fight, and the Anstro-Geraans may soon be unpleasantly surprised.

IN GERMAN PAY.

ITALIAN TRAITORS ARRESTED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association, ROME, November 27.

There is great excitement over the arrest of es-Deputy Caralani, also of the selfstyled Marchesa Eicca, who are charged with espionage.

Documents of a serious nature were seized at the woman Rioca's residence, including many from M. Caillaux (French ex-Minister of Finance) and his wife, who ; were intimate with the prisoners.

DETERMINED ENEMY ATTACKS,

TROOPS CUT TO PIECES.

ROME, November 27. (Received Nov. 28, at 7.25 p.m.) The Austxo-Germans are bringing a vast concentration of artillery in order to overcome the mountainous barriers protecting the Venetian Plain. During the last 24 hours the enemy have constantly attacked and have met determined Italian resistance. Massed German attacks were also cut to pieces in two attempts, to capture Italian shore positions on the Lower Piave.

ATTACK BY CORPS D'ELSTE.

A CRUSHING DEFEAT.

ATTEMPTED ADVANCE

FRUSTRATED.

Admiralty, per Wireless Press. LONDON, November 28. (Received Nov. 29, at 0.5 a.m.) An Italian eemi-official message states: The renowned Austrian Third Edelweiss Division, composed of troops of German extraction and other enemv forces, were severely beaten at Colboretta. They made a massed attack after a heavy drum fire. They were crushingly superior in fire and numbers, and this enabled the aesailants to penetrate our advanced line and reach a mountain battery; but fierce' counterattacks in the face of a violent barrage resulted in an enemy rout. Thus the attempted advance along the Valsngana was frustrated.

ITALIAN SUPERIORITY RESTORED. LOST GUNS REPLACED. RESERVES ENTIRELY REORGANISED. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. ROME, November 28. (Received Nov. 29, at 1.35 a.m.) The correspondent of the Messagero states that the Italian reserves have been completely reorganised, enabling fresh troops to be continually launched against the enemy. Italian factories have replaced the whole of the number of guns lost, apart from the allied artillery. The munerical superiority of the Italian tooops is now restored.