ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 November 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

j ' ENEMY REPULSED WITH | HEAVY LOSSES. I ROME, November 25. Attacks and counter-attacks on the Asiago Plateau, around Monte Melette are increasing, the enemy paying dearly for his attempts to advance. All attack have been broken. Large masses thrice launched against Col Berta were repulsed in disorder with heavy losses Fifty-one enemy planes were brought down in the last four weeks, while eighteen Italians are missing and three others fell on our own lines. ITALY'S WONDERFUL RECOVERY ANGLO-FRENCH NOT NEEDED. Received 10.5. NEW YORK, Nov 26. A New York Sun message from Rome says the rapid recovery of "tie Italians lias not necessitated the ,use of the Anglo-French troops, but the latter will participate in the decisive battle. .. kr ;.... DECISIVE STRUGGLE COMING. LONDON, November 25. Mr. Jeffcries, writing on the 23rd, says: Attacks at Tomba and Monte Revera were unpreeedently violent. Brandenburghers specially trained for mountain fighting, assaulted incessantly for twenty-four hours, The Italians are still holding on to Celabria. They have lost heavily. The enemy's casualties are tremendous. , Mr. Ward Price, writing on the 24th, says: The invasion is reaching a climax towards Tomba. but it seems in favour lof the JTer!rJibl,e fighting is certain during the next few days. After most severe fightiDg the Austrians gained positions on the knife-like eastern Tomba bridge wEere they cling precariously. Both sides are hurrying reinforcements for the decisive trial of strength.|

THE CRUCIAL POINT.

CAN THE ITALIANS HOLD IT?

LONDON, November 25.

Mr. Ward Price says: The crucial point of the fighting in Italy is the twelve-mile gap between the Brenta and the Piave. There are fierce attacks and counter-attacks about Monte Tomba and Monte Grappa. Anglo-French troops have not yet participated in the battle. Mr. Price says he met several motcr cars containing British officers reconnoitring the battle-ground. TEE SITUATION IMPROVING. ROME, November 25. Tae situation is improving. After twelve days' fighting in the mountains between the Piave and the Brenta the enemy lost from 60,000 to 80,000 men. The pressure is diminishing, but reinforcements are arriving. ITALIANS REPULSE FURIOUS ATTACKS. LONDON, November 25. Italian official.—We again repulsed furious attacks and successfully coun-'ter-attacked at Melette. We captured two sections of machine-guns.

McClure's correspondent/ writes: Pressure upon the Italians continues. As fast as one enemy division is exhausted, another is brought up. The Italians arc badly out-numbered and are short of guns. Their own shells, from the lost guns are raining thickly on their lines.