QUERO AN ALL IMPORTANT POSITION.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14569, 22 November 1917, Page 5

QUERO AN ALL IMPORTANT POSITION.

BATTLE REACHING A CRITICAL

STAGE.

ENEMY USING VERDUN TACTICS

("The Times.")

(Received Nov. 21, 8.5 p.m.)

London, Nov. 20

Mr W. Jefferies describes Quero, which the Austro-Germans claim that they stormed, as the all-important hinge between the armies facing north and east. , The Piave battle 'is reaching the movst critical stage. The enemy have brought up sufficient reinforcements to enable them to vge the Verdun shock tactics, dense maßßes advancing like human battering rams. There were nine attacks in 24 hours eastward of Asiago. Most desperate efforts were made by Krobatin's army round Quero and Tomba, which were the scenes of surging battles and counter-attacks. It is belisved that Allied troops were engaged. . The Rome correspondent of "Tre Times" says a retreat may be unavoidable, but their numerous successes have ir spired the Italians with the breath of victory. An Austrian brigade which crossed! the Piavo was annihilated, this being largely due to the tenacity of the Bersaglieri, who fought all night in perishing cold with rifles and machii!..« guns. They received supplies of bombs at dayligrt, wheretipon the—surviving Aufetrians surrendered.