Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-28
COLO AND THIRST HAMPER
ITALIANS IN FIGHT ON HUN
Troops Hold Naliantly to Barren
Land, However, AMI Arc in
Fine Spirit.
no TRENCHES FOR PROTECTION
Temperature on Rock N1ountainsilcs
Falls to IL Degrees at Night. and
Men Have No Shelter-NIany Olfi-
GERS Killed.
LBy Associated f,rnss ]

ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY. Monday. No.
vcmber 26~-DurinE II trip OF 100 miles
to-day through the lighting zone in
the north. the correspondent met the
major general In command of the most
exposed front between the Brenta and
piavc Rivers. where tho pressure has
been greatest and tho losses heaviest,
and obtained details OF the situation
As tho general spoke a heavy cannon
aiding rcsoundcd through hs field
headquarters and he looked out upon
great stretch Of the Brenta Valley
where the enemy is concentrating his
forces to break through 10 Bassano
and tho Venetian plains.
staff officers and orderlics we're ar
irving with reports from all vital
points and hurrytng OF with order.
for the maneuvering Of troops The
general paused long enough to give a
good general idea of the situation and
details Of tho condition of the troops
and the splendid fight they are maxi
Zig against heavy odds
The general estimated these odds AT
four or five to one. But his men were
fighting with n power Of resistance.
courage and dash beyond all praise
Attacks were almost continuous at ono
y, mt or another. but the Italians were
always ready to respond and had not
only repulsed attacks. but had driven
the enemy back after a series Of heroic
charges.
FIGHTING vAEIANTIY UNDER
MOST ADVERSE CONDITION
The general summed up the physi-
cal conditions of the battle ground
which made the struggle particularly
trying. First, he said. there was that
terrible strain of endurance and ma
tuTal fatigue accompanying nights and
days OF ceaseless fighting with the re-
ien,less foe. Then there was the cx-
tremc cold. with the temperature at
nights at about Il degrees above zero,
Fahrehheit. This extreme cold was
made worse. he said. because the men
were without any kind Of shelter.
everything having been swept away in
the terrific artillery action and the
constant shifting of position
There were no trenches or duEou,s
which ordinarily give some shelter. and
there was no water from unfailinc
sources such as tho soldiers should
have when going through such an or
deal They were on the barren ground
of foothills covered with rocks and
stones. The ground was without habi-
ties usually required by fighting troops.
The general added that there was
the still more serious condition of
many commands being with very {.
o'hcers' as the continuous lighting hn,
told terribly on officers. AS result.
new men were suddenly called upon TO
lead large forces and suboTcers wer
directing superior commands in MANY
instances. The general said there have
been fearful losses among the troops
which required constant reforming
or companies. regiments. brigadcs and
divisions. But the general said the
spirit OF the men was undated in the
determination to hold at any cost.
The rumble OF heavy artillery fire
continued throughout the generals
talk. while dense moist over the
valley gave 4 faint outline of the rig
ing hills where one attack was follow
ing another in this fateful battle