Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-11-19
FIERcELY WAGED BATTLE.

FIERCELY WAGED BATTLE.
On the northern front from Lake
Garda to the region south Of Feltre
violent Austro- German attacks have
been repelled, according to the Rome
war Office, although Berlin asserts
that northeast of Asiago and between
the Brenta and the Piave rivers the
Italians have been driven from strong
mountain positions.
No advices have come through to
show that the British and French rein.
forcements have reached the Italian
line in any considerable numbers, but
the "few days" which. it was an
nounced last week must intervene be-
fore they could stiffen the front line
arc at an end. Therefore, 1t is pre-
sumed that, with the Italians having
borne the brunt of the Teutonie -allied
attacks during the last week unaided,
the present week, with the aid OF the
allies in their line, will turn the bal
ance OF the scale in their favor.
FRESH TEUToNS IN RUSH.
Italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy, Nov. lS.--On the nerthern line
and along the PiaveNiver above Zen
son the fighting has assumed eX-
treme severity. The enemy has
thrown fresh divisions into the battle
in supreme effort to break through.
The Italians are resisting with des-
perate tenacity, using hand grenades
to meet the infantry rushes, following
artillery and machine gun fire. 1t is
one of the bitterest struggles of the
war and the losses are heavy.
On the Piave river the enemy got
across at two points, Follina and
Fagare, few miles above Zenson,
but those at Follina were annihilated
by artillery and hand to hand fight
ing, while those at Fagare were
driven back to the western bank with
heavy losses and many captured.
The Italian lines are holding in
the main, but the fury of the enemy
assaults renews the gravity of the
situation.
Navy Taking Part.
The Italian navy is doing splendid
service, seconding the army in the
bombardment of enemy positions to-
ward the mouth of the Piave river.
Near Revedoli, an Italian marine
battalion repulsed on Saturday a rush
made by an Austrian storming party
and Italian torpedo boats off Porto
Di Cortellozzo drove off an attack of
an Austrian torpedo feet. This
latter action was accompanied by op-
erations OF feet of Italian hydro
planes and seconded by Italian coast
batteries. Ii
On the middle Pave river, where
the Austrians succeeded in gaining a
foothold on the west bank. near
Zenson, they are held to the waters
edge and their only communication
with the east bank is at night. when a
fat boat is dragged from side to
side, bringing small stock of sup
plies.
Further north where the front turns
westward from the Piave river across
the Asiago plateau, General Ritter
Won Krobatin, forner Austrian min
ister of war. is driving his Austrian
forces, together with one Hungarian
division, in All attack which may be
the turning point of the whole opera
tons. 1t is here that the Piave front
and the Trentino front meet. and Cen
eral Won Krobatin is throwing all his
pressure OH this point, so as to force
a wedge between the two Italian
armies.
Vital to Stop Wedge.
What this success would mean is
fully realized, for should this wedge
come through it would not only sep
arate the two Italian armies. but
would require the consideration of re-
treat from the Piave river. as it would
not be possible to maintain posi-
tion on the Piave with the left flank
thus menaced.
General Armando Diaz, COM
mander-in- n-chief of the Italian army,
was able last night to announce the
solidity Of both main fronts and TO
give merited tribute to his men. The
fighting, while desperate, has not yet
developed the enemy's full power, and
it is still to be shown where he will
strike his greatest blow. But his
first shock has been met aud checked
and the Italian arms have gained new
luStre