New-York tribune., 1918-01-30
Gen. .Diaz's Troops Storm
Heights in Sudden
Asiago Offensive
Counter Attacks
Are Beaten Back
Gains at Col del Rosso
ueld: Berlin Admits
Reverse

LONDON, Jan. 29.@In powerful Of
fensiyc action the Italians yesterday
smashed in the Austrian lines on the
Asiago Plateau and captured more than
1900 prisoners. East OF the Asiago
Basin General Daz's troops stormcd
series of strong heights, penetrated the
cncmy's positions at several points and
cung 10 their gains in the face of vio-
lent counter attacks by Austrian rein
forcemcnts, Rome officially reported to-
. day.
simultaneously with the infantry Of
{ fcnsivc the Italian airmcn conducted
sn extensive air drive above the scene
Of the battle, bringing down twelve en-.
emy machines. and throughout the ac-
ton retaining mastery Of the air, ~
necessary factor in the general scheme
Of operations.
The attack centred in the region of
Col del Rosso and the lrcnzcla Val
ley, down which the Austrians drove
last fall to q point pcrilously close to
the edge of the Venetian Plain. Be-
tween Monte Ssscmol and the Frcnzela
Valley and about midway between
Asago and the Brenta River the bat
tie line takes wide curve to the south
ward the tip Of this salient resting on
Rosso llil and Monte di Val Bella.
Berlin Admits Kcpulsc
1t was these positions, strongly held
hv the enemy which the ;-aljanS first
stormed, IN an effort to slice Off the
apex of the salient. Berlin reports
that the attackers gained foothold
on Monte III Val Bella but were later
hurled back in counter thrust by the
tuStria,is
At other points in the line Of attack,
which was about three miles in length.
the Italians were successful in break
ing through the opposing positions. the
German communiquc admits. but were
defeated in constant attempts to rush
Their reserves forward and widen the
breaches: Tho statement declares that
the Italian losses were extremely
heavy. including $50 prisoners taken by
he Austrlans.
The success of the Italians in their
initial blow on the Asiago Plateau.
warning of which had been given bv
the intense artillery bombardment OF
INC previous night, was such that the
enemy hurried reinforcements to the
threatened front. Thecffective fire of
the Italian. French and British bat
terics prevented the harassed forces Of
the enemy from getting aid through
inc Nos and Campomulo valleys. but
oy o'ncr routes troops were rushed up
IN TIME TO stave off d serious reverse.
Parallels French Attack
Inc Italian attack was in many re-
spects similar - that Of the French
IN the Monte Tomba sector at the
dawn of the new year. and apparent
ly had similar object in view. Gen
eral Foyolle's struck at the tip Of
me salient Immediately west of the
Pave. and by thrusting through the
enemy's foremost lines compelled him
subsequently to withdraw from the
entire salient. as far as Monte Spin
oncla, thus. Strengthening the front
and removing the menace of an Aus
trlan attack against the Eastern flank
OF Monte Grappa. In like manner the
Italian success may cause the with
drawal of the Austrans from the
Rosso Hill salient and most of the
Frcnzeld Valley. which offered the
most favorable approach to the plains
west OF the Brenta.
Mld-wnter offensive operations are
almost unprecedented. The policy of
the Italians in striking at this time
seems to disclose anxiety on their
part to recover the dominating posi-
tons on the Northern ffront before
spring conditions make possible re-
newal Of the cnemy's drive toward the