ATTACK HEAR YPRES FAILS

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 149, 24 June 1918, Page 5

ATTACK HEAR YPRES FAILS

ITALIANS HOLD THEIR GROUND

SLIGHT GAINS IN COUNTER-ATTACKS

f~~ The British repulsed a strong enemy attack in the Merris ; sector, south-west of Ypres. They carried out successful i raids in the Morlancourt sector. The enemy's artillery is active north of Albert. On the French front only local ; fighting is reported.

The Germans tacitly admit the failure of the Austrian offensive, but say that it was justified because it prevented the Italians reinforcing the Western front.' The Italians had accurate information of the enemy's intentions, and they were fully prepared for a fierce attack on the Piave, hence they were able to concentrate for the defence of the river and thus hold the enemy without any serious territorial,losses. In the . recent fighting the Austrians have not renewed their heavy - blows, and in the local encounters the Italians and the British i have had the better of the deal, winning back many strong . points along the river and amid, the mountains. ) _ The strikes in Austria and Hungary are growing in intensity, and great difficulty is being experienced in trying to settle them. An angry demonstration was witnessed outside the German Embassy, where rioters were dispersed by the police.