The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-22
Battle Between Bretna and
Piave Rivers Is Bit
terly Fought
TEUTON ADVANCE
NOW VERY SLOW
Italian Resistance Grows
More Determined With
Each Step of Retreat
SRv Associated Press.l

SBy Associated Press.1
italian Army Headquarters, We'd
nesday, Nov. 21.-The battle in the
mountainous region in the north be-
tween the Ptave and Brenta rivers
Is nearing its elimination. It cens
ters at Monte Grappa and has be-
come O. struggle Of giants.
It is now clear that notwithstand-
ing the great numbers Of troops en-
ployed by the enemy and his ad-
vantages Of terrain, he is able to ad-
vance only very slowly now that he
81 not being assisted by the element
of surprise, by treason, and other
circumstances which favored him at
first. Even If the Italians should be
obliged to abandon the Piave river
line, they may be expected to fall
back more slowly and offer still more
tenacious opposition.
The greatest mass attack which
the enemy has made is in progress
point where IL bends to the north
east into the Belluno Alps. As the
action proceeds the enemy Is bring
ing forward fresh masses of his
reserves including picked troops Of
the Prusisan guard, besides some or
the best German troops drawn nom
the western and Russian fronts. He
also has 10000 mountaineers from
lower Hungary, troops which are
noted for their brutal vandalism.
The action through the day has
shifted westward from Monte Tomba
and Monte Monfenera to the slopes
OF Monte Pertica, where the enemy
rushes have been checked. The Ital-
ian positions remain substantially
unchanged in the region OF Monte
Grappa, which dominates the whole
range of lower hills.
Monitors Shell .Austrians.
The monitor fleet which is co.
operating with the Italian fleet off the
mouth OF the Piave is shelling heav-
lily the enemy positions menaclpg
Venice.
Al number of American Red Cross
anabulances passed through head
quarters today towafh the Piave
front.
italian aviators VINO have flown
over the invaded districts OF Venetia
say they saw lines OF the civilian
population under guard headed for
william Marconi, inventor Of the
wireless, has arrived at headquarters
and taken a place ION the stan OF
General Diaz. commander-tn- n-chiefs
the slopes Of three low mountains
Sust west of the river-Monte Tomba,
Monte Monfenera and Monte Cornell
la Monte Monfenera is just on the
edge of the river and IL Is here that
some OF the most desperate fighting
has occurred. 1t is the key to the
situation, as at that point the river
turns into the Venetian plains and
the whole battle hinges on control OF
the river passage leading to the
plains. 49,
The first. assaults began fve days
ago when Won Bellows Germans on
the lower Piave were swung north
ward for this supreme blow. The at
tacks have intensified steadily each
day until yesterday and today when
they reached the maximum.
Waves Of Infantry.
Beginning with artillery prepara
tion the Austro German infantry adj
vances came In successive waves,
first at the northernmost mountain,
Cornella, where the Como brigade,
OF Italians. held the line until crowd
ed back by greatly superior numbers
The enemy then took positions back
OF the town OF Quero and violent ar
tfIlery and infantry attacks were CEN
tered on Monfenera and Tomba. Much
on the lighting in the mountains was
at close quarters with bayonet charg
es and desperate hand to hand strug-
giles along an extended front. Through
Monday. Tuesday and today charge
followed charge and counter attack
followed attack. In some of the
bioodiest figllting ground has chang
ed hands three or four times.
AZ the little village Of Naranzines
on the slopes OF Monte Monfenera the
enemy f1rst gained lodgment and
sought to surround the large Italian
force but wS4 thrown back by a
splendid rally OF the Italian lines,
which swept forward with cheers un-
til the position was clear. II was the
bloodiest kind OF fighting with bay
onets first and then with bayonets
wrenched from their sockets and used
as double-edged knives.
Again the enemy massed forces
higher up on Monte Monfenera, back
ed by batteries concentrated from all
points. Before this intense shell fire
the Italian infantry gave ground
slowly until the upper slopes were
abandoned. The lighting goes on with
mnabated desperation
The conduct Of the italian troops
Is above all praise. They are con-
testing every foot Of the way, fight-
ing like tigers and with spirit and
confidence, even tn the face Of great
III superior numbers.
Claim An Advance.