ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

ATTACK STILL DEVELOPING. PLAIVE LINE HOLDING OUT. ROME Nov 19. The military critic of the “Corriere della • Sera” says that according to prisoners’ statements fresh enemy contingents have arrived on the Piave from the Russian front. The battle continues to grow in dimension and intensive violence > General Kro batin is descending from Carnia and Cadore, directing the attack, supported by lightning thrusts by General Conrad von Hoetzendorf on the Asiago Plateau, but the enemy attacks at Quero, on the Piave, broke down before the stubborn resistance of the Como Brigade. The battle continues to develop in the mountain regions of Trentino. & An Italian official message states that the enemy concentrated many fire positions on the Asiago Plateau, but did not attack. We reoccupied advanced trench elements. Strong enemy forces are attacking the Monte Vera and Monte Lamba lines on the Carnica front. Southward of Quero we prevented' fresh attempts To cross the Piave. German official message reports; Between the coast and Becelare firing of great intensity is in progress. The enemy fruitlessly repeated attacks north-east of Asiago- We stormed Monte Cornelia, and drove the enemy from positions on Monte Tomba ? taking eleven hundred pris o ners.

HOPEFUL ITALIAN NEWS. GERMANY TEMPTING FORTUNE. A GREAT BATTLE IMMINENT. Received 8.30. LONDON, November 20. A wireless Italian semi-official states that by an attack at Montefenera and Montetaha, the enemy has made contact with every point of the line wherein the' Italians have made a stand. Enemy masses are increasingly dense in several places. The movements of -artillery and infantry columns are reported in various Airections. A new phase is about to commence •rro’ Pf j • * • . ■ ' It is now positive that the enemy intends to tempt fortune by a grand strategic undertaking to rapidly break up our wings with a view to surround the Italians, or by a slow, methodical, wearing down action, or by a scries of hammer-blows similar to Verdun. In any case the recent serious 'losses must have convinced the enemy of the impossibility to bring about dissolution of the Italian army. All through their last "resistance the Italian anpy has preparing to face a great imminent struggle, to which the enemy is bringing up enormous forces and'material. ■ ' ! ■ : *■