The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-10-26
GERMANS USING 20
DIVISIONS IN DRIVE
AGAINST ITALIANS

LONDON, OCT. 25.--The tremendous
character OF the blow prepared by the
Germans against the Italians on the
Isonzo front is now becoming apparent.
Many German divisions have recently
appeared on the twenty-five mile line
from Tolmino to the Carso and il is
known that there are now AZ lcas,
twenty full divisions. 800. 900 men. with
4 great amoun. of German artillery in
the trenches.
In the first step OF the great drive
which began Wednesday more than
10000 italian prisoners were taken.
Berlin reports to-day including di-
visional and brigade staffs. In the first
rush strong italian positions barring the
way TO the valleys OF the Flitsch basin
and Tolmino were carried. steep noun
tain slopes were scaled and an Italian
post OH the summit OF the heights was
taken by storm
In this sharp German drive which Is
not unlike the steam roller advances OF
the Kaser's troops in Serbia, Rumania
and Russia, which carried everything
before them. the Teutons. taking ad-
vantage OF Their bridgehead a, Santa
Lucia. three miles south OF Tolmino.
broke through the Italian lines east OF
the Isonzo and shifted the battle to the
slopes OF the right or west bank OF the
river. Heavy fighting is still In prog
ress In this sector and also on the Balm
sizza plateau and on the western slopes
" Monte San Gabrielle. but these at
tacks were checked hy the Italians. who
took several hundred prisoners
The report from Italian headquarters
to-day says:
Yesterday morning after an inter-
val Of few hours. the enemy re-
sumed the violent hombarlmcnt all
along tho front. witt, "A specially de-
structive fire on that portion between
the southern slopes of Monte Rombon
and tho northern edge Of the Rainsizza
plateau, where afterward "A strong in
fantry attack wac launched.
The Narrows of Saga resisted the
! hostile blow, but further south, ia
vored by a thick mist which rendered
! useless our barrnge fire. the enemy
succeeded in breaking through our
advanced lines on the left bank OF
| the lsonzo.
Taking advantage of his bridge
| head of Santa Maria and Santa Lucia,
| he then brought the battle on TO the
slopes OF the right bank OF the river.
| At the same time powerful attacks
were made to the west OF Nolnik, on
the Bainsizza plateau. and on the
western slopes of Monte San Gabrielle.
but they were kept in check by our
| troops which In the course OF success
sive counter attacks, captured few
hundred prisoners,
The German headquarters report says
| Italian Front-ln military comrade-
ship the German and Austro-Hunga
rian troops yesterday attacked side by
side In battle against their former ally.
Advancing to the assault on front
OF over thirty kilometers te0 miles)
after short but intense artillery
preparation our tried divisions broke
through the Italian Isonzo front in the
Flitsch Basin and at Tolmno.
Strong enemy positions barring the
valleys were Overrun in the first
thrust, notwithstanding stubborn de-
fence Our troops scaled steep noun
tain slopes and stormed an enemy
point OF support which crowned the
heights.
Desperate resistance by the Ital.
ians had to be broken down many
times in fierce hand to hand engage
ments. The fighting is proceeding.
Up to this evening more than 10
900 prisoners, including divisional and
brigade stats. and rich booty In guns
and war materials had been an.
nounCed,