ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 27 December 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

GERMANS CLAIM 6000 PRISONERS. LONDON, December 25.

A German official message states: — On Friday, between and Brcnta on the Trentino front, we stormed the Col de Brosso and the heights adjoining to the westward and eastward, tak- ' ing 6000 prisoners. A British Italian despatch states that since a portion of the front was taken over active patrol ana counter battery work has been conducted. Our airmen have given a good account of themeffives. Severe cold prevails. AUSTRIANS MAKE ANOTHER BREAK. LONDON, December 25. Italian official: —The enemy yesterday morning in the Busso-Mount Valbella sector broke onr defences. We stopped him at the rear of the positi m. Our counter-attacks arc progressing satisfactorily. We drove the enemy to the left bank of the Piavc-Vecchia, suothward of Grade Nimo. AUSTRIANS’ SURPRISE ATTACK LONDON, December 25. Mr Julius Price, at the Italian headquarters, wrtes: Austrian divisions from the Russian front delivered a surprise attack southeast of Sisemol, which spread along the Asiago Plateau. The weight of numbers forced the Italians from two positions, fighting every yard, but a break through was prevented. Prisoners state that the Austrians arc urged to continue the fight in the hope of soon reaching the plains and sunshine. ENEMYS NEW PLAN LONDON, December 26. Mr Ward Price reports serious fighting in a now sector on the Asiago Plateau on the left of the Frcnzela Valley, nearer the Brenta. The enemy aims at winning ground to preserve the regularity of the advance of the whole enem emy line. A German force appears to be concentrated with the Austrians between the Brenta and the Piavc. The enemy are evidently thinning their troops along the Piave with a view to increasing their strength in the mountain sector. j