ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

A FIERCE STRUGGLE. AUSTRIAN? BADLY DEFEATED. r London, Nov. 27. Italian official: After a furious bombardment of the Col della Berretta, eastward of tlie Brenta valley, the enemy launched a whole infantry division and a fierce struggle- ensued. The enemy barrage isolated the defenders, who perhaps would have have compelled to give ground, hut Sicilians and Alpini traversed the death zone, charged the enemy, and forced him back, with severe losses and leaving prisoners i'n our hands. Enemy Albanians forced a passage across the Osam, south-cast of Serat, and attacked our Albanians, but our regulars drove them back with heavy losses, vast Artillery concentration. TO BLAST THROUGH THE' MOUNTAINS. MASSED GERMAN ATTACKS CUT TO PIECES. Received' Nov. 28, 7.25 pjo. Rome, Nov. 27. The Austro-Germana are bringing a vast concentration of artillery in order to overcome the mountainous barriers protecting the Venetian plain. During the last twenty-four hours the fcnemy constantly attacked. He met with determined Italian resistance. Massed German attacks were also cut to pieces in two attempts to capture the Italian shore positions on the lower Piave. ENEMY SEVERELY BEATEN. CSUSHINGLY SUPERIOR FIRE.

Received Nov. 29, 12.5 a.m. Rome, Nov. 28. Italian semi-official: The renowned Austrian Third Edelweiss Division, composed of troops of German extraction, and other enemy forces, were severely beaten at Colboretta. They made massed attacks after heavy drum fire and crushingly superior fire, and their numbers enabled the assailants to penetrate our advanced line and reach the mountain battery, but fierce counter-attacks in the face of a violent barrage resulted in an enemy rout. Thus their attempted advance along the Val Sugana was frustrated, RESERVES COMPLETELY REORGANISED. FACTORIES REPLACE LOST GUNS. NUMERICAL SUPERIORITY RESTORED. Received Nov. 29, 1.35 a.m. Rome, Nov. 28. The 1 correspondent of the Messagero states thqt the Italian reserves have been completely reorganised, enabling fresh troops to be continually launched against the enemy. , Italian factories will replace the whole number of guns lost. This is apart from the Allied artillery. The numerical superiority of the Italian troops has now been restored. AN IMPOSING SIGHT. BRITAIN'S ARMY ON MARCH. ENEMY PRESSING AT THREE POINTS.

London, Nov. 27. Reuter'a correspondent at Italian headquarters, telegraphing on the 26th, describes the magnificent spectacle of British troops marching through Italy. They comprise cavalry, artillery and infantry, extending over the roads for miles, with all other branches of the army following. The infantry marched steadily for days sixteen miles a day. They were equipped with a great number of guns and accompanied by endless lines of lorries, carts', pontoons, and other accessories of a complete army. Describing the Italian position he says the enemy is vigorously pressing at threo points. The first ia Tomba 'Mountain and Monte Fenera, the latter being a spur of Tomba. The crest has fallen but the heroic defence has rendered the situation stationary., Behind Tomba and Monte Fenera supplementary defences are being prepared which will minimise the loss if Tomba and Monte Fenqra fall, although a ■ considerable advance here might force the Piave. J The second point of attack is Sammartius on the Brenta. The third point is Asiago Plateau, especially Mount Meleta, where the enemy has maintained steady pressure among the snows for a fortnight. Thanks to the grim determination of the- Italian infantry the enemy's attempts have been defeated. The British forces are eager to get into the fight and the Austro-Germans may soon be unpleasantly surprised. EX-MINISTER'S TREASON. . Reuter Service. Paris, Nov. 27. The Chamber has decided to send to. Malvy for trial. It is unofficially alleged that while the Minister of the Interior he informed the enemy of all military and diplomatic projects, especially of the attack on the Chemin-des-Damcs, also that he encouraged mutiny in the army. ARREST OF SPIES. Rome, Nov. 27. There is excitement over the arrest of ex-Deputy Cavalani also the selfstyled Marchesa Ricca on charges of espionage. Documents of a serious nature were seized at Titfen's residence, including many from M. and his wife vrho were intimate with the nrisoners.