WAR NEWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 1 November 1917, Page 3

WAR NEWS.

MONDAY.

Italy Hard Pressed—Supreme enemy

Effort—Fighting on Italian SoilGallant Defence of FrontierAllied Gains on Ypres Sector.

The Italians are offering a gallant resistance to the enemy's supreme effort to crush them. Practically the whole Austrian army, .reinforced by 300,000 Germans, has Toeen concentrated on the Italian front. Whole armies have been brought from Russia and gathered on a sector of 20 miles to the north of Gorz, The enemy succeeded in crossing the Isonzo and reaching Italian soil.

It is reported in Washington that French and British troops are arriving to reinforce the Italian army.

An attack, successful within its limited objectives, was delivered by British and French forces on Ypres front. The principal operation was on the Passchendaele Ridge, where a number of - strong points were captured, and a grip was obtained on Bellevue slopes, which the New Zelanders made a gallant effort to take during the earlier fighting.

TUESDAY Italian Retirement—Evacuation of Gortz — French Gains north of Ypres — Resignation of German Chancellor. The Austro-German offensive against Italy is developing rapidly. The Italians have been compelled to abandon Gorz, which they won after many hard struggles, and retire over the Isonzo. The Germans claim that they have captured altogether 80,000. An unfortunate feature of the Italian retirement was the cowardice of 'some units of the second army which allowed the enemy to penetrate the left wing. Some of the finest German troops are being used for the attack on Italy. The enemy has almost stripped his Balkan and Russian fronts for the effort, which is held to involve a fight to a finish because Germany aims at the disruption of the alliance and forcing Italy to make peace separately: The French conducted a successful operation to the north of Ypres, in the course of which they carried several villages and fortified farms. They reached the western edge of Houthulst Wood, which the had already entered from 'the south. It is reported that the [German Chancellor, Dr. Michaelis", has resigned. WEDNESDAY Italian Resistance—Troops Fighting Well—Allied Gains In BelgiumFailure of Air Raid on England. The situation on the Italian front is still grave, but the latest reports are more reassuring. • The Italians are fighting well and are officially reported to be checking the enemy's advance over the plains. General Smuts, who sits on the British War Cabinet^ declared that the allies would stand by Italy to the bitter end.

The French and Belgians have made further gains in the flooded areas between Ypres and Dixmunde, and are now able to threaten the enemy's position near Dixmude. The German attack near Froidmont Farm, north of the Aisne, broke down with heavy loss. "The enemy also failed in an attack on the right bank of the Meuse, north of Verdun.

Hostile aeroplanes attempted to raid the south-eastern counties of England, but were driven off before passing the outer defences.

THURSDAY Italian Confidence—Situation Not Desperate—Cavalry Delays enemy Advance — British Attack in Flanders—Gains round Passchendaele.

The Italians are confident of being able to retrieve the military situation. They consider it grave, but not desperate. It is recognised that the enemy cannot be prevented invading the plains, but the most immediately, necessary thing is that a sufficr' ently strong resistance should be offered to enable the Italian advanced troops to be brought back to a defensive position. The Italians report that suc^ cessful detaining actions by their cavalry and the destruction of the bridges overthe Isonso have delayed the enemy's advance. It is reported in America that the Italian collapse was due to spies obtaining military and civil secrets. A British attack in the region of Passchendaele, north-east of Ypres, resulted in the capture of tributary spurs of the main ridge, including one overlooking the i village. The British are now on the outskirts of the village, having advanced nearly 1000 yards in some places.