ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1917, Page 1

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ENEMY ATTACKS REPULSED. TAUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.] LONDON November 23. Italian official: —Wc repulsed with heavy losses a strong attempted encircling ataelc against Melotte, on tho Asiago Plateau, preceded by a big bombardment, and star shells. "We firmly held all positions. The enemy renewed liis attacks yesterday between the Brenta and Piave rivers, and a’ fierce struggle raged all day long. Several positions were lost and regained. Our last counterattack definitely stopped the enemy. ITALIAN REPORT. LONDON November 23. Italian official: —Powerful enemy thrusts between the Asiago Plateau and tho Brenta failed. Our artillery stopped enemy attempts to cross the Piave in boats. Wo repulsed an atl tack southward of loftima.

THE ANZACS. NOT FIGHTING IN ITALY. WELLINGTON, Nov. 22. A cable message from New York, published in the Australian papers, to the effect that the Anzacs are fighting in Italy, is denied by the Defence authorities here. They state that they have no information of tho transfer of our rnen, and are able to say that it is not true-

SEMI-OFFICIAL REPORT. ■LONDON November 21. An Italian semiofficial message describing enemy attempts to break through between 'Brent a and Pia.vo i rivers on tbe 21st. and 22nd. saysl Most of the enemy masses on Thursday exerted pressure at Tomba Monte Fenera six Austro-German regiments attempting to encircle tbe right wing and dislodge the Italians on the right bank of the Piave. The struggle was most violent until night, and continues with varying fortune with attacks and counter-attacks

The enemy losses were severe. Our prisoners state that the enemy was surprised at fllie vehemence of our counter-attacks.

THE ENEMYS EFFORTS. fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASROCUtDX & REUTER.] LONDON November 23. Air. Poraval Gibbon writing from Italy states: The enemy is concentrating upon an effort to capture Trenuomba and advance across the Piave between Fenera and Winder villages, and then blast the road towards Venice and the plain. , The enemy's artillery consists of large numbers of six incliers. mounted on motor lorries. Tbe pressure .in this sector never relaxes. A great crucial battle is developing in tbe triangle between Cornelia, Tomba and the Piave river. Fighting in the lower Piave is crystallised into a defence line of hills, with the Venetian lagoon beyond. The country here is below sea level, and flooded. Naval guns on rafts occupy the lagoon. One hit an Austrian bridge at Grisloera at 17,000 yards. When the bridge was rebuilt, a monitor smashed if with a twelve incher. THE GERMAN STORY. LONDON, Nov. 23. Italian attacks westward of the Brenta, between the Brenta- and Piave, failed. TTTNDENBURG’ S DR F.A AI. ROME, Nov. 23. A Berne message states that Hindenburg planned the rapid and total collapse of Italy, intending then to attack France from the south.