ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

THIRD ARMY'S BRAVERY. SINCERITY OF ITALIAN SOLDIERS. ASTUTE GERMAN TAC^O 3 , London, Nov. 2. An Italian official message states: There is reciprocal artillery work on the Tagliamento. Our machine-gun fire repulsed enemy patrols which atkancad to the river bank.

Tim war correspondents pay a tribute to the courage ami tenacity of the Italian Third Army during- the retreat. Ths rearguard performed prodigies of valor, and despite persistent enemy shelling, covered the withdrawal of the guns by repeatedly charging the advancing Austrians. five times driving them back into Vallono, When the Austrians seemed likely to occupy positions commanding I the Isonzo bridges, the troops on the Carso bravely resisted, while the artillery by superhuman efforts man-handled the guns over the Isonzo. The Bersaglieri and Alpini specially distinguished themselves. The Alpini at Monte Nero appear to have fought until exhausted, and Were still resisting on Saturday, three days after the Germans burst through, living on one day's rations. Aviators at last saw them 'bravely holding the positions and dropped bread in their lines. A wounded officer who managed to ! escape from Monte Nero states that the appearance of Germans in their rear was an almost overwhelming surprise. It transpires that the Germans cleverly deluded the Italians l by leaving themselves a clear passage in one ■ small sector, while they rained shells on the remainder of "the front. The bombardment was so terrific that the Italians were utterly helpless while it lasted, and could only shelter in caverns and dug-outs. Gas shells were particularly effective. When the tornado ceased the mischief was already done, because during the drumfire and amid thick clouds of smoke and gas the Italians were unable to observe the small sector left unshelled. The Germans meanwhile broke through this sector, and when the Italians prepared to meet the oncoming foe they found themselves cut off in the rear.

AN ORDERLY RETREAT. PUBLIC REALISING THE DISASTER. DETERMINATION TO RESIST THE BARBARIANS. Australian Cable Association. Received Nov. 'A>, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 3.

Though the war correspondents on the' Italian front are not yet .permitted to disclose details of the Italian retreat, latest accounts show that the movement was conducted in remarkably good order, despite the prodigious task of withdrawing nearly a million men on roads utterly congested, but, apart from the inevitable confusion, there was no serious disorder. The military and civilian traffic moved slowly along the roads, torrents of rain adding to their discomfort and difficulty. Tlie vast majority suffermed acutely from hunger and fat'igue. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent states that the public are gradually realising the extent of the disaster, and there is a growing determination to resist the invasion. Signor (lioiitti, leader of the largest political group, lias offered Ms whole-hearted cooperation to the now Government. The universities Of Padua and Pavia eloquently appeal to stiffen the national spirit against the invasion of the barbarians.

CAUSES OF RETREAT. CIVILIANS JOIN AVITH ARMY.. ROADS AND RAILWAYS CONGESTED. FLOOD STOPS THE ENEMY. Received. Nov. 4, 5.5 p.ra

London, Nov. 3. Mr. Ward Price states that the principal causes of the Italian retreat were that a section of the troops were disaffected by the German peace propaganda, and the opening of a gap in the heart of the Italian defences and cutting off the surrounding strong mountain positions beyond the river, necessitating the withdrawal of the whole of the Isonzo army, the Carso army being compelled to follow, for if they had delayed their retirement for a single hour they would have been irretrievably lost. Many civilians joined in the army retreat. All manner of vehicles with mixed baggage, and wagons with army impedimenta, blocked the roads for miles. The railways were blocked with trains. The enemy rapidly followed the retreat, patrols occupying Udine at 7 o'clock on Sunday night, burning Cividaiel, Grandprisca, and Polanova. The Germans tried to rush Tagliamento bridge on I Saturday night, but .the flooded stream defeated them, sweeping numbers away. The Italians wiped out those who succeeded in crossing.

HEAVY ENEMY PRESSURE. ITALIAN RESISTANCE SUCCESSFUL. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Nov. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Ifov. 3. Italian official: Enemy pressure is heavier on the left wing of the Tagliamento line. We detained the enemy in attempts to reach the right bank.

THE HUNS' VENGEANCE.

SYSTEMATIC BRUTALITY AND LUST. ; MACKEXSEN'S CAMPAIGN OF | FRIGHTFULNESS, l: -: " ' United Service ' Received Nov. 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 3. , The evacuation pregnantly recalls the first days of the Belgians' retreat. Trio advancing hosts are laying baro Italy's richest agricultural districts, burning and pillaging, and ill-treating, the tcrrorElricken population. It is reported that General ' von Maekensen ordered, a systematic campaign of brutality and hist in order to terrorise the people and punish Italy's intervention.

WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. LEFT BANK CLEAR OF THE ENEMY. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Nov, 4, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 3. Wireless German official: Our attacks on the eastern bank of the Tagliamento compelled the Italian brigades which were, still holding out to'retire or to surrender. The left bank of the river from Fella Valley to Pasatic is free of the enemy. ■

ARRIVAL OF HELP. HEAVY GERMAN 1 CASUALTIES. New York, Nov. 2. Cables from Homo, state that 30,000 Germans, including two divisional generals, were killed on the Bainsizza Plateau. Anglo-French reinforcements have arrived at Tagliametno.

GREAT BATTLE IMPENDING. . Rome, Nov. 2. '• The Austro-Germans are risking everything upon completing the Italian' rout before the Allies arrive. A great battle is impending upon the plains, perhaps deciding the whole war.

AN ENLARGED GERMAN CLAIM. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc, and Reuter. Received Nov. 4, 6.5 p.m. 'London, Nov. 3. Wireless German official: Italian prisoners now number 200,000. and guns captured 1800. We took prisoners a number of American 5/ along the Rhine-Manic canal.