ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

ENEMY'S FUTILE EFFORTS. TO BREAK THROUGH FRONT. Rome, Nov. 18. The enemy is making an effort to break through on the Brenta front and cut off the troops holding the Piave line. He was many times repulsed at the bayonet's point, suffering heavily. After a terriflo bombardment lasting all day the enemy three times attacked Mount Ondarecar, and also attacked the north slope of Mount Ornella. After six hours fighting our counter-attack recaptured the position, putting the enemy to flight. Our fire broke an attempt to cross the Piave in metallic boats, ENEMY ATTACKS BROKEN. ENEMY PRESSURE CAUSES A RETREAT. ITALIAN SUCCESSES. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. Received Nov. 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 18. | Italian official: We completely broke up four attacks of extreme violence in the direction of Zomo, eastward of Gallio, and recaptured advanced elements in the direction of Caseramelett Adavanti Enemy pressure between Brenta and the Piave is increasing. We, after fierce (resistance and brilliant counter-attacks, effected an orderiy withdrawal from some of our advanced positions. We have completely swept the enemy from the Fagare zone. We repulsed an attack at Zenson, further driving back the enemy from the river loop, and frustrated attempts to cross the river elsewhere. On Friday and Saturday, on the right bank of the Piave, we captured 1263 prisoners. VIOLENCE OF ITALY'S RESISTANCE. ENEMY BEING EXHAUSTED. Received Nov. 19, 5.5 p.m. Rome, Nov. 18. Although the enemy pressure is great, ! the Italian resistance is developing violently. The enemy's sacrifices are enormous and he shows signs of exhaustion. WHAT THE GERMANS SAY. London, Nov. 18. Wireless German official.—Strong Italian forces fruitlessly attempted to recapture the heights north-eastward of Asjago. WESTERN ATTACK. ENEMY RAIDS REPULSED. SHARP FIGHTING OCCURS. ... LIVELY ARTILLERYIXG ON THE MEUSE. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Renter. ' Received Nov. 19, 9.3 p.m. London, Nov. 18. Sir. Douglas Haig reports: A strong raiding party this morning entered certain points of our trenches in the neighborhood of Gillenont Farm, south-east of Epehv. Wo counter-attacked acros9 the open, and ejected the enemy after sharp fighting. Our trenches south-east of Havrincourt were raided early in the morning. A French communique reports intermittent reciprocal artillcrvin:; in the Vandessons region, and towards Schoenbotz, it beiing lively and continuous north of Hill 344, on the right bank ol the Meuse. BRITISH PREPARED. FOR BIG GERMAN OFFENSIVE. ENEMY BATTERIES CONTINUALLY SHELLING. Received Nov. 19, 10.40 p.m. London, Nov. 10. Mr. Gibbs writes: We are prepared for a big German offensivo to recover Passchendaele from tho direction of West Roosebeice. The enemy's batteries show no tendency to decrease. On the Flanders front they continually shell Inverness Copse, Polygon Wood and Nonneboschen. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH RAID. HEAVY ENEMY BOMBARDMENT. London, Nov. 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—The Lancashire Regiment and Highlanders made a successful raid in the neighborhood of Moncliy-le-'Preux. There is reciprocal artillery activity on the battle front. The enemy's fire is principally directed at the positions at Passchendaele, Langemarck, and southward of Polygon Wood. ARTILLERYING ON FRENCH FRONT. London, Nov. 18. A "French communique states: There is reciprocal artillery activity north of the Chemin-des-Dames and on the right bank of the Meuse.