THE AUSTRO-GERMAN BLOW ON THE BAINSIZZA PLATEAU

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 29, 29 October 1917, Page 5

THE AUSTRO-GERMAN BLOW ON THE BAINSIZZA PLATEAU

' ■ . —— ■'■ ; > HEAVY PRESSURE ON ITALIAN LEFT WING POSSIBLE EVACUATION OF THE PLATEAU ' By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 26. An Italian official report states: "Powerful onomy forces continued ,-th offensive on our left wing on the Julian front. Wo have withdrawn on to ou, boundary line between Mount Maggiora and aipoint west of Auzza (oh the north ern portion of the front attached by the enemy), and hare- provided for th evacuation of the Bainsizza Plateau."—Aus,-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. , ' (Itec. October 28, 11.20 p.m.) London, October 27. An Italian official report states: "After crossing the boundary line betweei Monte Canin and the head of the Judrio Valley, the enemy attempted to read the' opening on to the plains. The hostile effort on the Carso is increasing We have repulsed strong offensive thrusts."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Reuter. SITUATION ADMITTEDLY GRAVE GRIM DETERMINATION TO HOLD ON. !Eec. October 28, 5.5 p.m.) v ' Rome, October 27. : An Italian semi-official statement says: "It is at present impossible to give all the details of the position at the front, where tho struggle continues to b< bitter and undecided." The statement admits that the situation is grave, but ii the Italian troops fight as they previously have fought the enemy is not likely to tread Italian soil for Cable Assn.-Eeuter. FRENCH AND BRITISH REINFORCEMENTS ■ \ . —; Washington, October 26. Tho Italian Embassy has received official advices that French and British reinforcements are arriving on the Italian front by trains from France, also large quantities of guns and munitions.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THRILLING STORY FROM THE GREAT BATTLE FRONT VON MACKENSEN. AT HEAD OF TERRIFIC EFFORT. (Hec. October 28, 5.5 p.m.) \ London, October 27. Mr'■Ward'Price, writing from Italian Headquarters on the Isonzo front, says: "We are on the eve of one of those immensely powerful long-planned drives with'which the Austro-Germana seek to crush an adversary by a single staggering blow A terrible crisis is coming, when each side will state all upon the throw. Millions of men will be strained to tho limit of exhaustion. Italy is about to meet, single-handed, ajmost the entire Austrian Army, with at least ten Gorman divisions, and new batteries of heavy guns ranging all along the front. The fighting is this way and that. The Italians at the first onset lost tomo ground, but theseVe only the first sparring blows. The heaviest possible kind of fighting is going on in the Isonzo tnanglo, with rolmino as the apex, fne enemy ib using overwhelming numbers of troops in Mb eftorls to thrust tho Italians from the Julian Plains." 300,000 Germans from the Russian Front. Telegraphing later from the Italian front, Mr. Price says: "Three hundred thousand Germans have beon added to the Austrian forces in the Isonzo Volley, between Plezzo and Tolmino. This vast strength is oonoentrnted on a front of twenty miles, thereby increasing the forty Austrian divisions _ which are facing the Italian Second Army by 50 per cent. There are also certainly reinforcements behind. Von Mackenson is directing the offensive, and Otto yon Buelow<is commanding the German contingent. Tho Italians are faced with one of Germany's supreme efforts, directed with a singleness of purpose, and complete harmony of action The Germans have carried out the task of transporting a hugo military organisation which was no longor needed in, Rußsia to placo it where it can be used to the best effect. Tho transport of this organisation has been an immense feat. The Germans uprooted whole armies and carried them aoross liurope. The First Blow. "Taking advantage of a thiok fog, tho Germans suddenly thrust af the Italian outoost south of Monto Nero, where a German army corps attacked an Italian brieade bursting through by sheer weight of numbers, and reaching the banks of Ihe Isonzo. Favoured by a night of rain the Germans pushed Ihreo miles up the rallov seized tho town of Caporotto, and then divided. Ono part attacked the Italian bastion at Monte Slarasbilla, and (ho rest pushed on to Kobec, hoping Thus to turn the wholo lino of tho Italian defence. Fortunately both German efforts were held up. Meanwhile other Germans made frontal attaoks on the main TBnnyo line, while attacks from the German bridgeheads at Santa Maria and • Santa Lucia, south of Tolmino, succoeded by a surprise. The Italians were driven out of Globocak, one key to their positions on their mam defence. It was nwrnitial to retake Globocak immediately, and a brigade of Bersngliere was sent forward with orders to recapture Globocak at all costs. Thoy did so with bomb and bayonet, and the line was restored. On the Bainsizza. "The fiercest fighting went on about tho Bainsizza Plateau. In tho face cf an onslaught in greatly superior numbers, the Italians fell back a mile, and as it was difnoult to cross the 6wlft river over tho bridges, which were constantly under fire they took the precaution to send the hcavior material to the Tight bank, from which sido the artillery is now supporting tho infantry and the lighter guns on the Bainsizza. The excellent quality of Ihe Kalian defonco is shown in the fact that 700 prisoners were taken in counter-attacks. Tho Bainsir,7,a Plateau and oicowWn on the Carso have been Bubjedted to a. tremendous bombardment the Germans hoping thereby to hold tho Italians lo the ground."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable