ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

ITALIAN RETREAT. LONDON, Nov 6. A German official message says: “We are in possession of the whole Tagliamento line to the coast, the Italians retreating between the mountains and the se a . The conflagrations indicate the route of the retirement. Our pressure on the Trentino front compelled the Italians to give up the mountain front from Fella Valley as far as Colbricon, north of the Sujana Valley, and on a width of 150 kilometres (90 miles) the enemy is retreating. We have commenced further operations.

I HELPING ITALY. 'AUSTRALIANS DO THEIR) PART. (From Captain C. E. W. Bean.) LONDON, October 31. , In the face of the serious situation which confronts the Allies in consequence of the Italian reverse, it may bo some small consolation to Australians to know that every ounce of Australian strength in the force has been directed straight at the heart of the Germans, where it was most effective, and helped to drive home some of the hardest blows the Germans have received in the war. The saving of strength from the Russian front has enabled the Germans to concentrate this force against Italy, but as far as is within our power that blow r will be lightened. The Germans brought against the Australian front during the recent battle at least one divisions which had been intended and was specially equipped, by the Germans for sending to Italy. Extra teams for the transport, of its guns and waggons in mountainous areas had already been detailed wh'eu the division was diverted for urgent need before Ypres, The Australian force here has been exerting its utmost efforts, and with the British, Canadian, and Australian artillery, which have been fighting heavily since the middle of July, the infantry' engineers, pioneers, and others are' still facing the heavy trial with great sacrifices; in orderi ;-to help shoulder.-: aside the -peril; from the world.:::, 1 r,r. "D

„ THE , TAGLIAMENTO CROSSED ATTACKERS’ SUPERIOR . . i; : GUNFIRE. . 7/ ,; *A, BURNING QUESTION. Received 8,50. LONDON, November 7. Mr. Percival Gibbons says the Austrians have crossed the Tagliamento at a point where it has five channels, all passable by motor cars. Their shelling thus far has been exclusively by field guns. The German superiority in gunfire is the key to the Italian retreat. The Germans'shelled the Italians-- to fags, holding half fh'jtir fire until the infantry were in the open in order to secure a surprise. Reorganisation is the order of the day on the' Italian front, and committees have been established everywhere to receive refugees. The one question now uppermost is whether the Allied reinforcements will arrive in force before the AustroGermans attack.

RETIRING TO LIVEN2A. HARASSING THE ENEMY. Received 9V30. NEW YORK, Nov 7. An Italian official states: We are withdrawing in good order to Livenza as the defence of the Tagliamento is difficult owing to low water. Our aeroplanes and airships repeatedly bombed the troops repairing the bridges on the Tagliamento and those crossing the river. A GERMAN REPORT. PURSUING THE ITALIANS. Received 10.40. LONDON, Nov 7. We continued pursuit of the Italians in the mountains and on the Venetian Plains, thousands were made prisoners. ITALIAN PATRIOTISM. Received 10.5. ROME, November 7. In Italy, 35G Deputies, of all parties, have signed a manifesto appealing for unity and fortitude. The battle cry for all must be “Save our country from foreign invaders.’ 7 ITALY'S SHIPPING NEEDS. Received 9.30. NEW YORK, Nov 7. Advices from France state that artillery work continues active in the American sector. Two more merchantmen have been turned over to Italy whose shipping needs take precedence of France’s

SITUATION CONTINUES GRAVE.

AUSTEO-GERMANS SMASHING ON. LONDON, November 7. S The Italian situation continues grave , The now retreat covers a front of 100 miles. Large zones consolidated for defence have been a abandoned. The troops are still desperately fatigued. They possess few guns. The AustroGermans are bringing sufficient light artillery forward to break the Italians formations. The Piave line promises strong feotures, but is only fifteen miles from Venice. Mr Jefferies states that cavalry were the first enemy troops to cross the Tagliamcno, Italian cavalry drove them back, but had to retire before motor machine guns. The general retirements were in complete order, working to time-table. Enemy scouts •are twelve miles westward of the Tagliamento. The German propaganda in Italy, was the old lie that Germany rvas rescuing the country from British tyranny and representing England as revelling in luxury, and allowing her victims to freeze, starve and die, This was skilfully used in both Italy and Russia'.