ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1917, Page 5

ITALY.

THE CRUCIAL POINT. A TWELVE-MILE GAP. GERMANS CANNOT DESCEND TO PLAIN. Received Nov. 2G, 5.50 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Mr. Ward Price says the crucial point of the fighting in Italy is the twelvemile gap between the Brenta and the Piave, there being fierce attacks and counter-attacks about Monte Tomba. The Germans cannot descend to the plain until thoy capture Monto Tomba and Monte Grappa. The Anglo-French troops have not yet participated in a battle, but Mr. Price savs lie met several motor-cars containing British officers, who were reconnoitring the battle ground.

THE POSITION IMPROVING. RESULT OF TWELVE DAYS FIGHTING. ENEMY HAS MADE NO ADVANCE. LOSSES PLACED AT 00,000 TO 80,000. Received Nov. 26, 8.45 p.m. Rome, Nov. 25. The situation is improving. After twelve days' fighting in the mountains between the Piave and the Brenta the enemy has made no advance, but has lost from CO,OOO to 80,000 men. The pressure is diminishing, but reinforcements are arriving. DECISIVE STRUGGLE IMPENDING. FURIOUS ASSAULTS ON TOMBA. INVASION REACHING CLIMAX. . IN ITALIANS' FAVOR. Times Servic#. Received Nov. 26, 0.20 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Mr. Jeffrie.% Writing on November 23, says that the attacks on Tomba and Fenera were unpreccdentedly violent. The Brandertburgera, who have teen specially trained for mountain.fighting, assaulted incessantly for twentv-four hours. The Italiar*,' who are still"holding on to Calabria, lost heavily. The enemy's casua/ltiss were tremendous.

Sir. Ward Price, writing on November H, says the invasion is reaching its climax towards Tomba, hut seems in favor of the Italians. Terrible fighting is certain during the next few days After the severest fighting the Austriaiis gained ft knifelike position on the eastern Tomba bridge, where they cling precariously. Both sides ore hurrying reinlorcements for a decisive-' trial of Etrength.

ENEMY PAY DEARLY. FOR FRUITLESS ATTACKS, Rome, Noy. 25. Attacks and counter-attacks and the Asiago plateau around Melette are increasing. The enemy is paying dearly and all tiny-attacks l»ve been broken. He launched three attacks with largo masses againgt Colberta, but they were repulsed in disorder with heavy losses. Forty-one enemy planes have been brought down in the last four weeks. Eighteen Italians are missing and three ethers fell in their owji lines.

FURIOUS ATTACKS REPULSED. SUCCESSFUL COU-VTER-ATTACKS. Aus. and N.Z. Cable As=oe. and Reuter. Received Nov. 26, 9.20 p.m. London, 33'ov. 25. Italian official: Wc again repulsed furious attack* and successfully carried out counter-attacks at Melette, where we captured two sections with machineguns. ENEMY PRESSURE CONTINUES ITALIANS OUTNUMBERED. SHORTAGE OF GUNS AND SHELLS. Times Service Received Nov. 2(1 11.15 p.m. London, Nov. 25. Mr. McClure, the war correspondent, writes that the pressure upon the Italians continues. As fast as one enemy | division is exhausted another is brought |up The Italians are outnumbered badly and are short of guns, their own shells from lost guns raining thick on their own lines. USUAL GERMAN REPORT. London, Nov. 25. A German wireless message says:— Italian attacks on both sides of the Brenta valley and against Monte Pertice oollansed.