Italy’s New Offensive.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 274, 4 November 1916, Page 5

Italy’s New Offensive.

Advance on the Carso Front. Lines Still Pressing Forward. [PRESS ASSOCIATION COPYBIGHT.] [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Rome, November 3. A semi-official message states that the Austrian positions south-east of Gorizia are on summits and steep slopes intercepted bv ravines and covered with woods, while the defences of the Carso, besides ruined villages, included numerous boundary walls. The principal line of resistance on the Carso has been carried by the Italians, who advanced two kilometres over thickly wooded ground up the slope. Besides taking 5000 prisoners, they inflicted the heaviest losses. For instance, the 21st Landwehr Regiment was wiped out. Its start, three battalion commanders, and 1500 men were captured. (Received 4, 8.50 a.m.) Rome, November 3. The Italian bombardment on the Carso on Tuesday was intense, and the cannonade on the following morning was still more violent. Then came the climax at 11 o’clock, when the artillery suddenly lifted, and the infantry began the attack along the whole line, gaining 500 yards on the Pecinka sector at the first rush. At Pecinka the neighbouring hills had previously proved stubborn obstacles, but the attack this time could not be gainsaid. The mist veiled the attackers, but the gradual retreat of the Austrians’ shrapnel puffs indicated that progress was being made, and soon the Italians passed the summit of Pecinka, Velikihribach and Locovec. After mid-day the enemy pounded the roads leading towards the crest, beyond which the fight still raged. The battle nearer the sea was much more intense. By one o’clock, on the battlefield, which had previously been shrouded in mist which was now lifting, large groups of Italians were visible crossing the captured crests, and in the wake of the attacking line two long columns of prisoners were seen descending the slopes to Valcona. The Austrians then heavy' bombardments of the captured crests, but the Italian counter batteries intensified their fire. The victorious Italians solidly occupied the new positions, while the foremost lines steadily pressed forward. AUSTRIANS ADMIT RETREAT. DEFENCES DESTROYED. Vienna, November 3. An Austrian official message says:—The 2nd and 3 rf i Italian armies, which have been brought to full strength by fresh troops since the last big battles, opened an offensive m the Gorizia region. The Italian artillerv fire was of extraordinary violence. Thereafter Italian infantry assaulted in massed formation, seven brigades at one point advancing on a narrow front. Several attacks were repulsed, but the Italians in the northern part of the Carso gained ground beyond the advanced ruined lines, while Borsica remained in Italian hands after an attack by eight divisions. Rome, November 3. Austrian messages report that for three days an Italian bombardment of unheard-of violence east of Gorizia to the sea destroyed the Austrian defences. The Austrians brought all their reserves, withdrawing all forces available in the Trentino and all the garrisons of the neighbouring towns. The population of Trieste is reduced to a few officials and military workers. THE BATTLE CONTINUES. ENEMY DEMORALISED. AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 4, 11.20 a.m.) Rome, November 3. The first day of the new offensive on the Carso cost the enemy a loss of is.boo. One-third of the prisoners were of the 21 st Regiment. Other units were annihilated. There is fine weather for the battle, which fiercely continues. The enemy counter-attacks are feeble. The disordered troops arc demoralised.