Italy’s New Offensive.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 275, 6 November 1916, Page 5

Italy’s New Offensive.

Occupation on Carso Extended. Enemy's Lines Deeply Penetrated. Austrian Losses 36,000 in Two Days. [PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] [REUTER’S TELEGRAM,] (Received 6, 9.5 a.m.) Rome, November 5. A wireless message states that the Austrian losses on the first two days of the offensive were 9000 prisoners, 10.000 killed, and 20,000 wounded. Vienna telegrams show that the authorities regard the position as a veritable debacle. General Boodevich has asked for reinforcements, having to withdraw three divisions. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Rome, November 4. An Italian semi-official message states that the advance in the Northern Carso was vigorously pressed on the 2nd instant, particularly on the ridge commanding the Castagnavizza road, the principal artery of communication. The Italians from Vallone scaled the rocky terraces to the eastward and drove the enemy beyond the hills southwards, advancing to a depth of 3 J miles and reaching the third Austrian line and capturing valuable observation posts. The two days’ fighting resulted in a considerable extension and consolidation of the Italian occupation on the Carso. The fact that a brigadier and other high officers were among the prisoners taken on the 2nd shows the depth 'penetrated by the Italians. The capture of 10,000 prisoners in two days proves the great success of the Italians’ effort to draw off the pressure on Rumania. The Austrians attacked numbered 100 battalions of Landwehr troops. Several battalions were completely destroyed. The Austrian defences consisted of three lines, with a fourth in process of construction. The Italian artillery swept the first line in a few hours. The second was considered impregnable, but was quickly taken by assault. The third is now being attacked. If it is promptly captured the Austrians will.be forced to a general retreat. Already they are withdrawing big guns. Following formidable artillery preparations the Italian infantry are pressing on Duino, an important railroad junction, which is already subjected to terrific bombardment. This prevents it being used for forwarding reinforcements to the various sectors. The Italian gunnery is strikingly effective. A single shell in one small valley annihilated an Austrian company by blowing up an ammunition store. There was most terrific fighting at Veliki Hill, which was crowded by the heaviest Austrian artillery. The lightning rapidity of the Italian advance astonished the Austrians, who fled without even removing the breech blocks. The Italians immediately trained the guns on the fleeing Austrians with great effect. The Italians charged at Vertobizza waist-high in the water, using their bayonets as daggers and clubbing the Austrians with their rifle butts. An Italian airship bombed enemy works and warships at Sebenico and caused great fires. OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BATTLE. THE POSITIONS CAPTURED. [reuter’s telegram.] Rome, November 4. An Italian official message states: We captured a strong position on the southern slopes of Cima Bocche, in the Travignolo Valley (in the Trentino), and consolidated it despite a violent bombardment. We advanced more than a kilometre eastwards along the Oppachiasella-Castagnevizza road and further seawards. A massed attack was smashed by our fire. We took prisoner 554, and also took a whole battery of howitzers. The 11 th Army Corps captured strong positions eastward of Veliki and Mount Pecinka. We extended our lines westward of the OppacchiasellaCasagnevizza road, and took prisoner 3498. Milan, November 4. The positions taken in the new Italian advance constituted Austria’s strongest defences since the fall of Gorizia. The main Italian attack was first directed on Veliki and Pecinka, but the enemy effected large concentration at Castagnavizza, and began a desperate resistance which became the centre of a furious battle. The Austrians fought with determination, but were soon overcome. The capture of Picinka is most noteworthy. It had been rendered a second San Michele after Gorizia’s fa’ll. The Italians now have a better command of the Vipacco Valley and the Austrian position behind Castagnavizza. Prior to the recent battle Austrian soldiers floated messages down the streams to the Italian lines, asking them to let them know when they were beginning to attack, as they intended to retire. ENEMY SERVICES DISORGANISED. (Received 6, 9.5 a.m.) “ La Tribuna ” states that many of the Austrians who were taken prisoner were dying of thirst. They had been without water for three days because all the services were disorganised. Austrian artillery shelled a column of Austrian prisoners, massacring many. Italian aeroplanes destroyed the railway station at Nabresina, hitting several munition and troop trains. The explosions destroyed the line for some distance. THE ENEMY STORY. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.] Vienna, November 4. A communique asserts that gigantic Italian attacks were repulsed and 2000 Italians captured. It admits the loss of two batteries on the Carso. COUNTER-ATTACKS REPULSED. ANOTHER TALLY OF PRISONERS. [AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND. CABLE ASSOCIATION.] (Received 6, 1.30 p.m.) London, November 5. An Italian official message says:—The enemy five times, attacked the slopes of Cimabocche, but were driven off with heavy losses. We have extended occupation south of Oppachiasella. The total number taken prisoner on the Julian front since August 6th is 40,363, including 1008. officers. Prisoners taken during the last four, days number 8982, including 3.70 officers.