COUNTRY IN WHICH THE ENEMY IS ATTACKING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14441, 30 October 1917, Page 3

COUNTRY IN WHICH THE ENEMY IS ATTACKING.

STRUGGLE FOR PASSES THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. The Austrd-Genpan attack has been launched m the northern sector of vthe Isonzo front, iiear the point where line bends West into the difficult country of the Carnic Alps. Practically it is directed against the pivot on which 4he Italian front swung when It was carried" forward by the recent offensive. $Dhe Italians are across the Isonzo everywhien from a front near St. Lucia— where they have been driven back—but further •north they hold only tho right bank of the river. In the recent fighting they crossed tho river at several points below St. Lucia, using clouds of smoke to cover their movements. They advanced m a great bulge to a point near Mount Gabrielle, capturing most of the Bainsizza Plateau, a stony slope with an eastward rise. Tlie enemy's attack represents an attempt to drive a wedge behind (this bulge and 8 o outflank the whole of ;the 'forces which* have crossed ."the Iscmzo. The * Austrians are at the sam^&me attempting to .remove a threat to own 'line. The whole zone to ih^east of the Isonzo is bounded on th'e r K-*st and on the no^th ~by ■ the Julian Alpi; a SSS„ wi -ifc->s*' avera §c height of ,about 4000 ft. F^-om the: backbone of the range 4ho cOun*Bry-^__iEf --towjfrds the valley, of *the -tfacto-o 1 **•?»' Successive levels! /'*_ here is first a vhigh plateau, then a Ml :in level,- then another plateau, till- -finally the valley is.. reached. yfPhese plafeanx are for the most mai't •exipTShslßS of 'bare rock, and form, a f r v kiblQ J -«e_atiEiral stronghold. The eQges**ihaveV*'been: ufeored by age & -of weather, -tfrltl theii- surfaces worn ipto ridges and hollows; .But an ; army defending this position 'is m considerable -danger of being <cut off, owing to the fact that there. are. only three tood passes through «t_e mountains. Tho rst is from the north by way of Tolmein. The -direct "road 'to UHe north is now. blocked by the\«taliah*mrmiesi and they are fighting their ' way <§own .tonthe 3unction ofitthe Baca wad Idria levers. Where these nivers* 'o_a^hflre^iß/.i£. Railway running north-east to JQin^eihiain •line ii , om,iLailMoh»to '/ITaawas^ana -a- good (road training - south * east i-o 1 -' joi~ -the Laibach line >to -Trieste and 'Ektme; This impor tant r junctitna .is ".orily- some; , "five miles from the "Italian llinea and if the Italians seized it the Austrian armies on the whole Isonzo front would have. -their communications -entirely tout from the'nda-eh. is that known as the Schonpass. across .""** Alp 3 east to Laibach, starting iiom Gob*, and running stlirbugh Haideiisfchift and_oll. sTlifere 1 . is.&tfair mountain-»»ail-way running as far as Haidenschaft; fbut f|om this point till it ioins the Laifcttch Ail way the road is steep and diffidillt, ftre highest point being .more than 30B0ft fbdve sea • 'levels The third and mains access, is from the'sodtihiana it is thisiimEortant route that >.was j mainly -threatened y the recent operations „»n;.'the Carso. The capture , of. Moate., Santa threatened the little, town of Doll, "from wh'ichi-two mountain tracks .branch' .off across the hills; thus .-further cutting off 'the -Austrian forces to ilhe- norflh df Gorz. '