THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3340, 8 September 1917, Page 2

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

TAKES 30,000 PRISONERS

AUSTRIAN CASUALTIES, 120,000

IBT PLEOTHIC TBLEOEAPtl —OOPYBieHT. I |.Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.]

Rome, Sept. G. An Italian oificial report states: The struggle north-west of Gorizia coi tinues. We repulsed repeated attacks south of the Brestovizza Valley. We destroyed enemy posts on the Trentino front. The Austrian prisoners on the Italian front total 30,000. The enemy's losses since the be-gir-nirig of the offensive are estimated at 120,000. AN ENGLISHMAN'S REPORT. Mr Percival Gibbons says the Austrians are counter-attacking from a triple mile line of defences between Kostanjevica and the coast. The great east and west valley of Brestovizza gives a highway for the attackers while the heavily armed Hermada slopes run steeply down to the southern end of the Italian line immediately south of Kostanjevica. The Austrians arc at a less advantage in lighting on level country. Here they have been stopped dead, and their offensive power destroyed. Austrian shock troops made seven successive attacks. There were few survivora. The Austrians at the rear of Hermada charged down hill, supported by furiour shelling and entered the Italian lines at two points. The Italian and British gunners put tip a shrapnel curtain, and shut out the Austrians reserves. The Italians simultaneously attacked and won back both, inflicting heavy losses. Tk,e Austrian attacks on the Carso are proceeding on a. front of 10 miles from Kostanjevica to the coast. The cor tour of the ground gives the enemy an advantage, especially in the valley of Brestovizza, which is a favourable highway for assailants. Around Solo, enemy shock troops attacked seven times, each breaking in vain against the defence on the uplands towards Hermada. The attackers were supported by a furious artillery bombardment. They entered the Italian position at two points on Hill 146, overlooking the marshes' mouth of Timavo. The Anglo-Italian guns thereupon put in a "barrage, cutting off reinforcements. The Italians counter-attacked, and re-estab-lished their positions, with the heaviest of losses to the enemy. CAPTURE OF SAN GABRIELLE DENIED. London, Sept. G. Austrian war correspondents say San Gabrielle is still held against lrany massed attacks. The Italians captured the summit several times, but were thrown back. DESPERATE RESISTANCE. (Received September 8i 9.45 a.m.) London, September 7. Italian official: North-eastward of Gorizia, the enemy, having Buffered heavily, is making desperate resistance.