The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-19
TEUTONS DR. VEN
BACK BY LATlNS
in FAGARE ZONE
Attempts to Force Crossings OF
Piave Frustrated by
C0unter-AttaCk.
HEAVY LOSSES FOR KAISER
Austro- Germans Hemmed in at the
Zenson Loop Fail in Attempt to
Break Outline on Asiago
Plateau Holding.

Rome, Uov. 19.-Further attempts
by the enemy to force crossings of the
Piave river were frustrated by the
Italian troops. and in brilliant coun-
ter-attack the Austro-German forces,
which previously had gained footing
on the west bank. in the Fagare zone.
were completely swept out of this area,
the war office announced.
The AustroGerman forces, hemmed
In at the ZensOn loop. tried to break
out, but were repulsed with heavy loss
eS and ultimately driven further back
into the loop.
The Italian line on the ASiago pla-
teau is withstanding extremely violent
attacks, the defensive units displaying
brilliancy in their resistance and in
successful counter-attacks.
Four Attacks Broken.
The text of the official statement
reads:
"On the Asiago plateau on the night
OF November 1917 the enemy, insisting
upon his attempt to force our line
from Monte Sesemol to Monte Castle
Monte ZOmo, east of Gallo. The at
tack. repeated four times with ex-
treme violence, was completely broken
up by the gallant Ligaira brigade.
More to the north. in the direction. of
Casera and Meletta d'Avanti. our par
ties of the Perugia brigade retook with
great courage some advance elements
lost during the previous days, captur-
Ing about 100 prisoners.
Between the Brenta and the Piave
the enemy pressure has been increas-
Ing since the evening of the 18th. The
masses Of the enemy obliged our troops
at some points not to prOlOng their de-
tense at some advanced positions.
which have been abandoned in an or
derly withdrawal after fierce resist
ance and brilliant counter-attacks.
North of Quero the Como brigade has
again shown its valor.
Yesterday along the Piave parties
Of the CaSerta brigade, together with
elements of other units. in an irresist-
ible advance completely swept the
enemy from the Fagare zone The
SpinerOle brigade repulsed with great
loss for the enemy an attack attempted
by the troops closed in at ZensOn. driv=
ing them further back into the loop of
the river. Attempts to cross the river
carried out at other places were
promptly frustrated
"On the right bank of the Piave dur
Ing November Is and II total of 81
officers, 1912 men and p machine guns
were captured
Berlin Denies Losses.
Berlin, Nov. 19.-The Italians are
counter-attacnIng heavily in the hill
district northeast of Asiago. Army
headquarters announced that the enc
my attacks, launched against heights
which had been taken from the Ital-
tans, were fruitless and costly to the
attacking forces.
Italians to Take Offensive.
italian Headquarters in Northern
Italy, Nov. 19.-The battle of the
Piave river, as it viii be known. now
has developed TO stage where the
enemy's first attempts to make a
breach in the italian lines have failed.
One hears talk in high quarters that
If the Piave line holds another few
days the tide will he turned. as its
successful defense through six fearful
days has est"hiishcd that the enemy
has his limitations
Thus far, nothing beyond battalions
have crossed the river, and no corps or
brigade. much less division. has passed
the deadline.
1t is because the Piave has resisted
so well that the enemy now is turn
ing his attention to the north and
trying to make q breach there, which
he failed to make on the Piave.
This is the situation after one of the
most trying weeks Italy has ever
known. 1t makes the whole country
breathe easier and await with serenity
almost confidence. those crucial days
still ahead.
Desolation by Flood.
A trusted man was sent by the cor
respondent in an automobile to the
lower Piave TO inspect the inundated
district, and he has returned with de.
tails of the fearful scene of desolation
made by the release of flood waters.
What was a smiling farmland fen
days ago now is transformed into q
vast sheet of water stretching fol
miles.
The extent of water interposes an
impossible defense to any advance OF
the enemy in that quarter, and under
this sheet of water is soft mud. now
soaked to a quicksand consistency
about six feet deep, making 1t impos