The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-22
The Italian Battle Line.

unsuccessful attack on Rheims, which will b.
discussed later, the outstanding feature O
the war news Of the week just closing was thu
long delayed drive of the Austrians' which began
Saturday night and has continued with gradually
abating fierceness for seven days.
To date the Austrian drive, judged even from
the Teuton standpoint, must be viewed as,
failure "-r = &
At the. worst the Allies have administered
terrific losses out Of all proportion to the minor
gains Of territory made by the invaders, and at
the best there is opportunity yet to turn the
attack into a most disastrous defeat which may
menace big part of the Austrian army with
humiliation .- ."
To properly review the Austrian drive, readers
of The Forum should study the map which &C
companies this article as frequent reference will
be made to it.
Two Phases to Attack.
The attack had two phases, a thanking move
ment from the north and direct attack across
the Piave. The purpose was to take Venice,
but more important than that, to get in behind
tho Italian army on the Paive and annihate it.
If the attack from the north had been success
full and the Austrians could have broken through
the mountain passes and debouched into the
plains at Bassano, the retreat of the Italians
would have been cut off and their lines Of sup
ply cut. There would have been no choice but
surrender, and immense quantities Of supplies
would
have meant the virtual elimination of Italy from
the war.
But like the German attempts in Flanders and
France, the plan was a failure. 1t even
farther from being successful than the German
efforts.
The objectiVes.
The detectives Of the first day were Bassano
for the troops attacking on the Asiago plateau,
and Treviso for the troops on the Piave. A des-
y,ara "a aFfnr+ WAS also made TO Monte
pa, the historic mountain fortress which has been
the stumbling block for enemies of Italy for
centuries.
About three quarters of the entire Austrian
forces, or approximately 100000 men were con-
centrated for the attack, with immense supplies
of artillery. #tsE I-
The first day brought some minor successes
in the north but the French, British and Italians
reacted so vigorously that all of the positions
lost were arecaptured, and the original lines re-
stored, in so far as they be called lines
in this mountain district, The Austrian losses
were terrific, for they stormed strongly en-
trenched positions against murderous fire. This
attack from the north the greatest menace
in the drive. If it had been successful, the de-
Tense Of the Piave line would have been not only
futile but suicidal. 1t would have meant a re-
tirement behnd the Brenta river, the loss Of
Venice and Padua, and an immense loss In men
But the Allies in the north held, and they are
showing such strength that there is every prob
ability that they will evens advance their posi-
tions. y
On the Piave.
Along the Piave river some minor successes
were recorded by the invaders, but at the cost
of out of all proportion to their value. The at
tack on the Piave seems to have been concen'
trated at two points, at the village, of Nervesa-
which lies directly east Of the town Of Montebels
luna shown the map, and in the region or
Ponte di Piave, also shown on the map
In the north near Nervesa, the Allies held the
Montello Plateau, which commanded the sur
rounding territory. The Austrians succeeded in
crossing the river under heavy smoke screen,
drew pontoon bridges after them and stormed
this height. They won more than half Of 1t, and
held it for a day, but were later driven from all
but a small part of it.
used the same tactics and effected another cross
ing.
been able to make any, substantial Roadway or
spread out. Meanwhile the river has risen and
swept away some Of their bridges, and the Allied
aviators have been busy bombarding the others,
while a constant pressure has been kept up
against the invaders The result is that they
are in a very. precarious position. Unless they
can enlarge their foothold on the western bank
of the Piaye and bring UP endorsements and
supplies, they are in danger of being cut off en-
The situation on the whole is highly satsfac-
tory. The danger point perhaps has not been
critical for the Austrians than for the Allies.
give me four American divisions and we will
start the march into Austria" was the word OF
one italian commander.
IL "Hunsor Drive"
Not the least important phase of the often
sive is the positive evidence that it is viewed
as a hunger drive" by the Austrians Hundreds
of the prisoners captured have carried orders,
to win at all costs, holding out to them the prom
Use OF unlimited loot and food supplies in italy,
Prisoners taken have told of the conditions ap-
preaching actual famine, not only at home, but
in the ranks OF the army itself The Austrians
are fighting with revolution at their backs,
hunger in their ranks, and with the desperation
of men who know they must advance or starve
and be annihilated
The fact that Germany has given the AUS
trians virtually no aid lis good evidence that she
has all she can take care Of in France and has
no troops to spare for the Italian drive But an
Austrian defeat might compel Germany to- draw
upon her reserves in the west to hold her back
door against the Allies The Italian situation
may therefore result I'm the loss OF the initiative
Tor Germany and It's passing into the hands Of
the Allies at very early date.
The German Attack
The only other feature Of outstanding import
ance during the week was the disastrous attempt
of the Germans on Wednesday to widen the sali-
ent between Rheims and Soissonss by a desperate
attack on q fourteen mile front near Rheims.
More than 10000 men were used in the blow, but
few OF them even reached the French lines in. the
face OF q hurricane of artillery fire and the
French easily disposed of those who did. The g
Germans suffered very heavy losses for no gains
at all.
Aside from this attack, the Americans have
done the most active fighting on the west front
during the week. They have made some attacks
for limited detectives near Chateau -Thierrg and
did their work IN a most thorough and efficient