Bisbee daily review., 1917-10-28
NACKENSENIS LEADING HUN
 HOST AGAINST
 THE ITALIANS
Virtually the Entire Austrian Army, Aided by German Legions, Seek to Push ltal- ians Back to Own Soil.

ARMY HEADQ A R T E R s IN NORTHERN ITALY. Friday, Oct. 26 (By the Associated Press).-Virtu- ally the entire Austrian army. rein forced by heavy German contingents. conducted by the redoubtable Field Marshal von Mackensen. now is fac ing the Italian army in the greatest offensive since the beginning of the war, with evident purpose of invading the Friuli region, the easternmost province of Venezia.
 It is now clear that the Austrians and Germans sought to make a sur prise attack at the least fortified point on the north of the Julian front. The field of the present operations can be likened to huge letter T. From the left arm of the T to it's foot is about 22 miles. On this left arm Von Mac kenson attempted to deliver his big blow The arm extends seven miles westward from Tolmino at the central point of the T. Tolmino and the near by villages of Santa Lucia and Santa Maria have become of chief import ance, as this was the point of the sur prise attack.
 Two Main Lines
 The lower stroke of the "T" is 30 miles long from Monfalcone to the sea, with Gorizia half way down This gave two main fighting lines, the northern running horizontal. where the greatest blow was struck. and the southern running perpendicular. where a fierce bombardment seeks to pre- vent the Italians from moving rein forcements to the threatened region in the north.
 The Julian Alps run back of the northern line and the Carso Alps back of the southern line to the sea. The distances stated are in a direc, line. The mountains make an irregular for nation, greatly extending the oppos- ing fronts.
 The Objective
 Field Marshal von Mackensen's ob- jective evidently was to re-cross tb' Insonzo. whence the Italians had driven the Austrians back several miles into Austrian territory. He screened the movement by making detour. but his main army struck straight from the Isonzo at San Lucia and Santa Maria.
 The Italian forces were compara- lively small at these outermost linn its of their lines. and it's advancing waves succeeded in crossing the Ison- 20 with comparatively little obstruc- tion. Here. however. they were faced by low rainge of mountains in which the passes are strongly held by the Italian army. now heavily reinforced from the center and the south.
 May Penetrate Passes
 The whole operation now pivots on the possibility of Mackensen driving through these passes. where the city of Cividale is the first important place leading to the rich and level plain. ALI luulCdllOnS dic iutl tue lldllduS are masters of the passes and can hold Mackensen against further ad- vance. although the tremendous force he has massed might permit a fur ther scattered incursion
 The correspondent went over long stretch of the front today in company with headquarters officers. Every where there was evidence of com plete preparedness in the midst of the terrific bombardment of both armies.
 Much havoc has been wrought by this fruitless bombardment. One shell struck building occupied by a local command. sending up a volcano of department reports. but killing any one.
 Audacious AirpIanes
 Further along two Austrian air planes flew low overhead amidst storms of shots which burst like cot ton balls across the sky. They were untouched and sailed of proudly. but their pride was brief. An Italian off