THE ITALIAN FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1918, Page 6

THE ITALIAN FRONT.

FRENCH SUCCESS VALUABLE. LINE GREATLY STRENGTHENED. London, Jan. 2. Reuter's correspondent.in Paris reports that the recent French attack ou the Italian front wais launched after :i() hours bombardment. Monte Tombe is 2fe)oft high, and constitutes that last buttress of the mountain chain which defends access to the plain between the elbows of the Brenta on the west and the Piave on the east. The Italians here were recently forced to abandbn, after a desperate resistance, valuable positions to the Austrians. leaving no natural obstacle between the enemy and Treviso, hence the importance if restoring the position. The French showed really magnificent dash, regaining the mastery of Monte Tomba, and capturing large booty, besides prisoner*. * The French success, both tactically and mot--ally, is valuable. London, Pe«. 31. Reuter'r. correspondent at th- headquarters of the Italian army says flint snow is falling heavily, making most difficult the continuance of the AustroGerman advance. It is especially hampering them in the bringing up of supplies and moving of the big guns. The. suitability of Italian Alpini under these conditions was again demonstrated 011 Christmas Day, when a detachment, clad in white and looking like Pierrots, fell upon Austrian forces ten times outnumbering them. The enemy was driven headlong down the mountain. The Inventiveness and resourcefulness of the Alpini in new methods of attack are keeping the enemy in a state of perpetual unrest.