THE BATTLE ONE OF INFANTRY

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 128, 30 May 1917, Page 7

THE BATTLE ONE OF INFANTRY

I ' AUSTRIAN? ENORMOUS LOSSES ITALIAN 'ARMIES FRESH NEW DEFENCES FOR TRIESTE (BY TELEGHAPX.—UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—OOFTKIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received May 30, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, 29th May. A British correspondent who has visited the Italian front/ after reviewing the position of the armies, says : "The battle is essentially one of infantry. The folds of hills, gullies, and peaks protect the Austrian machine-gunners from the Italian guns, compelling the infantry to do most of the work against the strongly-placed machine guns, of which the Austrians have large supplies. The Austrian artillery does little counter-attack work, conserving its shells for defensive barrages during attack. There are indications that the Austrians have withdrawn many guns from these^ regions. ' "I saw eighteen thousand prisoners, mostly Dalmatians, Czechs, and Hungarians, of all ages from eighteen to forty-five; but 90 per cent, of them were between twenty-two and thirty-two. I was struck by their muscular and healthy appearance, which showed that they had not suffered from shortage of food." The writer says that a lull in the fighting is necessary for the preparation of a further offensive, particularly in this region, where .the skill of the Italian sappers alone makes war possible. Ridge after ridge must be systematically bought at their price until the gates are unlocked. Perhaps for months ahead every trench must be blasted from the rock. Miles of tunnels exist. None can question the valopr of the Italians, nor the heartiness of the war effort. Italy's mobilisation figures would astonish the world. ROME, 28th May. The Italian army, after six days of battle, is still fresh and almost intact, after haying-inflicted tremendous losses on the enemy. This result is due to the ■ superiority of the Italian artillery, and the effectiveness of its fire. The Austrians are firing blindly, as they lack aeroplanes and balloons. The profile' of Fort Hermada has completely changed, and now resembles an immense ruin. The Aiutrians are hastily constructing defences nearer Trieste. ROME, 29th May. ■ It is reported that non-combatants have been ordered to evacuate Trieste. The archives and deposits have been removed.