REINFORCEMNTS DISCUSSED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17126, 30 October 1917, Page 5

REINFORCEMNTS DISCUSSED.

Received 1-15 a.m. Oct. 30

LONDON, Oct. 28. ■ It is authoritatively stated that the reported number of enemy troops which recently arrived on the' Italian front is grossly exaggerated. So far as is known, only five German divisions are on the Isonzo front, of which only three have been definitely identified by the Italians as participating-, in the attack. Possibly another German division has arrived, hut this is not engaged in the attack. Two out of the five above mentioned divisions came from the Western front, where they had suffered heavily at the hands of the British, and where they were replaced by two divisions from Russia. The German strength on the Western front is therefore undiminished; indeed, it has been increased by two divisions since August Ist. The remainder of the German reinforcements on the Italian front have been transferred from Russia and Roumania. Regarding the Austrian reinforce, raents, only two Austrian divisions are known to have arrived on the Italian front during the last month, but possibly two others recently arrived, although they have not yet been identified. The total reinforcements, therefore, know2i to have arrived on the Italian front amount to only seven divisions, and the enemy's success is entirely due to the presence of three to ■fire German divisions, who attacked the Plezzo-Tolmino front.