ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 December 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

ITALIAN FIGHTING. EYES ON THE BAROMETER. .1-.-Received 8.45. LONDON, Dec. 16. Mr Ward Price says both sides are fighting in Italy-with one eye on the barometer. Italians are hoping to hold up the advance until winter snows fall in the Alps and impose a white truce. If the enemy fail to win the Piave Plain all their previous reckless sacrifice of life will be in vain. Time fights for us but never-in living memory has winter been so belated. Mountain peaks are still black, while they should now show ten feet of snow, AN ITALIAN MESSAGE FIERCE FIGHTING STILL CONTINUES ON BEENTA AND PIAVE LONDON, December 16. , EeceivedD.lO An Italian message official states the battle between the Br'enta and Piave continues fiercely. The enemy launched a mass attack yesterday afternoon. Our counter offensive, aiming at lighten- „ ing the pressure, twice reached the > summit of Monte Pertisa. The enemy made a thrust at Col Caprille and south . .of Col Dilla at Beretta, but our counter-attack completely repulsed the assault with heavy losses. The enemy re-attacked and reached Col Caprille and firmly held portions of our line. We twice repulsed strong attacks at the head of the Monte Dislorolo satinet. A GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORT THREE THOUSAND ITALIANS TAKEN Received 9.10 LONDON, December 16 A wireless German official message states: We prisonered during the last few days 3000 Italians between the Brenta and Piave. ENEMY ENCIRCLING MOVEMENT CHECKED < LONDON, December ,16 Italian official: Firm resistance compelled the enemy to suspend an infantry attack on Col Caprille and Col Dolla Beretta. Aeroplanes shelled his concentration of troops. The enemy launched a dense massed encircling .movement against the salient atr Monte Solarolo. Our infantry, aided by Italian and French batteries, repulsed the enemy. We yielded only a short setion of g round after inflicting immense losses.