AUSTRIANS CLAIM PROGRESS IN COASTAL

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 147, 21 June 1918, Page 5

AUSTRIANS CLAIM PROGRESS IN COASTAL

SECTOR. BITTER COUNTER-ATTACKS IN MOUNTAINS. (Received 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, June 20. An Italian official message says:—The situation on the British front is unchanged. Our artillery carried out bombardments and a harassing fire. The enemy's artillery is inactive. We have now captured seven guns. There hae been heavy fighting on the Piave front, but the enemy has made little if any progress. The river is flooded, and many of the enemy's bridges were washed away.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) A wireless Austrian official message states that yon Boroevio's southern wing, in its steady advance, obtained fresh advantages on the Fossetta Canal, west or the Piave, and crossed the canal at some points. The Italians are staking everything to stop our advance, and prisoners have been taken from numerous units. Most stubborn attacks, especially on Uoth sides of the Oderzo-Treviso railway, broke down with heavy losses. The Archduke Joseph's divisions pierced several Italian lines near Sovilla, at the southern foot ol Montello. Our gains between the plain of the Brenta and south-eastward of the Asiago were again subjected to bitter aesaults, but despite great sacrifices the enemy was unable to obtain the advantage anywhere. Th* Italians repeatedly and fruitlessly advanced on Dossoalto.—(A. and N.Z, and Reuter.)