The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-10-29
DRIVE WEDGE IN
AUSTRIAN Line
italian and British Forces ir
Italy Shift Direction Of At
tack-Cross Piave.
YANKs TIGHTENING HOLD
On New Positions Gained East
of Meuse-Turks Again
Defeated by English.
(By Associated Press.).

Suddenly shifting the direction OF
their attack, the Italian and British
troops on the Italian front have
crossed the Piaye over O wide front
and are driving a wedge into the Aus.
trian. line In the direction OF the city
of Oderzo.
When the Italian front famed Up
late last week, the storm cen,er OF the
allied attack apparently was between
tho Brenta and Piave rivers. Retwetu
the Monteilo plateau ana the point
where the battle uss- leayes the, Piays
to mount into the heights there wni
some hard fighting and it seemed Droh'
able the allied effort to break through
would be exerted in northerly and
enthusiastically direction. This evil
IDENTIFY was the, view Of the Austrian
commands which rushed troops into
the Monte Pertica region and regaincd
some Of the ground lost in the first
onslaught.
Then came the development Of what
l
seems to be the real attack. 1t was
along the Piave river below the Mon
tello plateau. where the Austrian
armies met n terrible defeat last June
and July. The river has been safely
negotiated and official statements show
that the allies are over three miles
eastward of the stream and hold the
eastern bank Of approximately seven
miles.
Oderzo Is an important railroad
center and it's capture by the allies
probably would result in an enforced
retirement along the Piave river to the
sea. 1t also Is probable that a read
justment of the line northward would
become necessary.
Tho French are duplicating the sue
cesses won by Gen. Debeney's army be-
low Guise Saturday and Sunday, when
the German line was pierced and the
enemy was forced to retire from the
sharp salient he had been stubbornly
holding. Reports indicate further pro-
gress by Gen. Debeney in this sector,
and at the same time 1t seems the
French forces along the line of the
Aisne have resumed their attacks,
which are intended to drive the Ger
mans back on their lines of commdni-
cation running in the direction of Hir-
son.
American units have Joined with the
French in this sector and have ad-
vanced upwards of mile in their
particular sector.
1t would seem the British south OF
Valcnciennes have reached a point
where the line of the Scheldt to the
northward may be turned. IL Field
Marshal Haig succeeds in forcing the
enemy to evacuate Valenciennes. the
advance of the British, French and
Belgians in the direction of Client soon
may be resumed.
An American long range cannon has
opened fire on the important railroad
line parallelng the German line north
of Verdun. The distance OF this road
from the American lines Is about fif-
teen miles. 1t Is indicated that air.
planes are being used in checking the
work done by this formidable piece of
ordnance.
East of the Meuse, American troops
have tightened the hold on the POSI-
tions won by them last week, while
west of the river there has been con-
stant pressure brought to bear on the
enemys positions. Minor tactical
successes are reported from this sec
tor.
British divisions along the Tigris
have again defeated the Turks and
have advanced ten miles.
Austria has sent note to President
Wilson announcing in effect that she
Is ready to withdraw from the war re-
pardess Of the negotiations now going
on with Germany No official COM
ment on the situation has come from
Washington as yet.