Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
Embattled Latins, Having
Held Strategic Points
Against Withering As
saults, Are Cheered By
Arrival Of French and
British Army.
INVADING HORDES
ARE HELD IN CHECK
[By Associated Press Stan


Italian Army Headquarters In
Northern Italy, Nov. 25.-(Delayed)-
Solid ranks of Franco-British infantry
with artillery and supply trains were
seen by the correspondent today with
in sound of the battle on the Italian
northern line. They had been on IN
eight day march.
The correspondent was on a tour
OF the northern fighting front where
the great battle is continuing with un.
exampled violence. Major General di
Giorgio was found commanding the
extreme left of the fourth army. at
the point where the fighting was
heaviest.
BATTLE is UNcEAsINel
Throughout yesterday and today
the battle in the mountains has de-
velopeG in steady succession Of
heavy attacks and counter-attacks
with occasional brief intervals for re-
forming the lines and reorganizing
new positions. Twelve different en-.
emy assaults has been made within
few hours preceding the correspond
ient's vsia iheadq quarters on the field
but tie lsa.En lines had not yielded
a foot OF ground and General di
Giorigo, while grave because OF the
terrific struggle his men we're making
against the tremendous odds. was
calm and confident that the defensive
line would hold until -einfor ccments
were swung into the fighting
DEciMATED UNITS REFORMED.
Staff officers from headquarters
were taking the trip along the line
and the route lay straight north into
the fighting zones. Soon there were
evidences of bitter struggle just
ahead. for along the route long lines
of Italian infantry, decimated in the
last few days, were reforming to re-
turn to fight They showed the fear
full strain they had been under but
there was no trace of wavering and
the long lines breathed spirit OF
eagerness.
In another zone sight which stir.
red the blood was tha, of solid ranks
of allied reinforcements which crowd
ed the roads.
ALLIES BRING CHEER.
Already they were within sound Of
the rumble of the guns which could
be heard above the gallop of the cav.
airy, the tramp of the infantry and
the clamor Of the batteries and supply
trains
1t was a dark day, with gray sky.
but the whole scene seemed to tighten
up as the color of the Italian gray was
tinted everywhere with British khaki
and French blue. They had been on
the march for eight days making more
than fifteen miles a day.
INVADERS HELD IN CHECK.
From Lake Gardia to the Adriatic
the Italians have held the invading
in check. Finding it
impossible to break through the lines
directly west of the Piave river the
enemy has been making very strong
attacks on the Asiago plateau, where
he was defeated last week in an at
tempt to encircle the important Monte
Meletta position. The fighting has
been most severe, the Italians meet
ing attack with counter-attack.
East of the plateau, between the
Brenta and the Piave. only artillery
has been active. Along the Piave the
Germans are showing signs Of act;v-
ity. but their efforts have not been
fruitful Attempts TO cross the river
on pontoons were crushed by the
Italian artillery fire.
MEN IN GOOD CONDITION.
first seen in force They were splendid
looking young men. One of their Of.
ficers with whom the correspondent
talked and whose sleeve bore stripes
earned by gallantry. said they had
Just arrived after hard forced
march with others following
Soon these others came in view
and for two miles the party passed
through endless lines of French. There
were squadrons of cavalry in the
road and in the nearby fields, and
long lines of troops with artillery
trains and supplies. Field kitchens
had been set Up at one point and the
midday real was being se.ved. The
men looked in the best of condition
and did not show trace OF fatigue
from their long march.
BRlToNS BRING UP REAR.
Just beyond here the color turned
from blue to khaki as long lines Of the
British came into sight In the lead
were cyCliSts and then came enrinoat