Evening star., 1918-01-16
D|Az SWEEPS
TEUTON ADVANTAGE
italians Capture Important
Enemy Observation Posts
and Hundreds of Men.
BATTLE STILL CONTINUES

oy lne AsBoclapeQ Rre90.
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS
IN NORTHERN ITALY. Tuesday. jan
uary 15.-The action east of the
Brsnta river yesterday. in which
the italians inflicted heavy losses on
the enemy and captured several hun
dred prisoners and a large amount Of
war material. began late in the after
noon and was carried out by infantry.
1t was directed chiefly against Monte
Asolone. where the enemy boldly has
set up observation posts overlooking
the San Lorenzo valley and the vene-
tian plain leading down tosBassano.
From these heights the enemy. back
ed bv his position on Monte Pertica
and Caprivale. was q continual menace.
his guns having a range Of a consider
able distance down the valley and over
the plain.
French Guns Lend Aid.
The cannonade bean toward noon,
with the Italian batteries being second
Cd ably by French artillery on their
right. A heavy fog screened the move
ment as the infantry was ordered to
ADVANCE 1t moved straight up the
mud and slush. The enemy artillery
fire grew moro intense as the advance
proceeded. There was no halt until
the positions on Monte Asolone were
reached and the enemy advance posts,
where observations had been conducted.
were swept away.
Along the whole line the Italians gained
a foothold. Under the concentrated fire
of the enemy lines they later were
withdrawn slightly after laying waste
the enemy works. Austrian forces at
tempted number Of counter move.
ments without success. The struggle
around Monte Asolone continues, but
one OF the main objects already has
been accomplished, that OF dislodg1ng
the enemy from his works, to say
taken.
About the same time an incursion
into the enemy trenches was made far
ther east around Monte Solaro1o, where
more NOR, prisoners and material were cap
Fight on Lower Piave. =
The third bloody fight occurred on
the lower Piave. where the Italians en-
larged their position between the Piave
and Sile rivers and beat back a counter
attack with heavy loss.
An officer. who has just returned
from Monte Asolone. says that the
enemy there made his chief resistance
with machine guns and did not have
time to bring any considerable force of
first reached the crest they found all
the enemy soldiers in their winter
quarters in log barracks. A large part
Of one battalion, including one major
and two captains. was captured in one
Of these buildings.
Considerable Advantage Gained.
ROME. January 1b-The official
statement follows:
'In the Monte Asalone region fighting
took place yesterday afternoon. Our
troops, effectively supported by artil-
their line from north of Osteria il Le-
pres to the head of the Cesilla valley.
In spite Of the enemy's bitter resist
ance and very lively reaction, consfd-
cradle advantages were gained and
very heavy losses were inflicted on the
enemy. We captured eight officers. in
Guiding one lieutenant colonel, and 2s3
men Of other ranks"
italian Repu1se Claimed.
BERLIN, January 1e, via London
italian troops again attacked the Teu-
Secca, on the mountain front, yester-
day. but failed to achieve any success,
according to today's army headquar-
ters announcement.
Numerous artillery duels took place
along the front between the Brenta and
the Piave. The British artillery in
creased its fire in the Piave sector
north of MontelIo.
Austrian Official Report.
VIENNA. via London. January 15.-
The Hungarian war office today
issued the following statement con-
cerning the fighting on the italian
front:
Between , the Brenta and Mont
Pertica the Italians advanced to the
attack after strong artillery prepara-
ton which increased som etimes to
drum fire. After very violent hand-to-
hand fighting, the enemy succeeded at
a few points in penetrating our
trenches, but was expelled by counter
attacks. At many Of the points Of at
tack the first battle line is completely
in our possession. The enemy suffered
heavy losses.
"On tho lower Piave an enemy ad.
vance near BressAnin was quickly ar
knA