New-York tribune., 1917-12-21
Italian Front
ITALIAN

ROME. Dec 1s-Yesterday. the seventh
day of the battle between the Brenta and
the Piaye. the enemy concentrated his ef-
forts almost exclusively on the Monte Sols-
rolo salient. At ] o'clock in the morning.
after several hours OF the most violent FIRE.
extending from the Col dell OrsO 10 Porte
di Salton, columns Of infantry from the
northeast and the north were launched
against our position.
The former. which advanced from the
southeastern slope OF Monte Spinonci. was
caught by our artillery and most effective
and concpItrated fire from French batteries.
II was forced to stop and give up the attack
before getting in contact with our line.
The latter. consisting Of whole division
OF German troops. preceded by assault de-
tachments. made a direct and decided thrust
against Monte Solsrolo and the northern
slope at the head Of the Calcino Valley. Our
troops put up a most stubborn resistance. and
the enemy, after desperate struggle. being
badly cut up by our fire and worn out by
our counter attacks was obliged to suspend
action and return TO his own lines. We
captured prisoners and some machine guns.
december 2OD- Between the Brenta and
the Piave. after artillery preparation lasting
for "a long time. the enemy attacked yester-
day afternoon on Monte TassOn-Col de Orso.
but was completely driven back suffering
severe losses. A detachment which later at
tempted TO storm Hill 1901 of Monte SoIarOlo
was promptly repulsed by our fire
In the Concei Valley the enemy, employ
ing much artillery. attacked a redoubt, but
did not succeed in occupying il. On the
Asiago Plateau there have been frequent
duels and greater artillery activity. At
Sasco Rosso, on the left of the Frenzcls
Valley. an attack against one of our ad-
vanced posts was repulsed and few pris-
oners were captured
At Piave Vecchia and south OF Gradenigo
the local activity was very intense. Several
new hostile attempts to cross the river were
frustrated. At Quattro Case. the bridgehead
Of CavuzuccheTins. there we're brisk encoun-
ters between advanced posts. AZ Cortellazzo
the enemy attacked i'm force our bridgehead.
but our gallant troops drove him back and
made thirty-five prisoners.
December lQ-Yestsrday, in a ssngui-
nary action which lasted the entire day. the
enemy, alternating violent bombardments
with powerful infantry attacks. attempted
from Col Cs2rille to Monte Pertics 70 push
his line forward toward the south. Only on
his left. where. however, about 100 prisoners
remained in our hands. did the enemy sue
ceed in maintaining his advantages. in the
Monte Asolone zone. On his right, on the
other hand, the enemy's efforts proved fruit
less, this fact being especially due to the
admirable resistance offered to the west Of
Osteria del Lepre by the Pesaro Brigade.
Hostile attempts 10 cross the Vecchia
Piaye between Ca Gradenigo and Cavazue-
cheriua led 10 brisk local fighting. in which
coating batteries OF the royal navy took
large share. Some prisoners were taken.
GERMAN
BERLIN. Dec. 20 (DAY).-Repeated Itsl-
ian counter attacks against our newly won
positions on Monte Perties were repulsed
Between Tomba Ridge and the Piave, on botn
sides OF Montello. there were lively artillery
duels
Between the Brenta and Piave since De-
cember / We took prisoners 210 italian Of
feer3 and s,l20 men.
tNIGHTj Repeated Italian attacks against
Monte Asolone and newly captured positions
. adjoining 10 the west and east. failed.