ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 28 May 1917, Page 7

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

INTENSELY VIOLENT FIGHTING

TRIESTE'S LAST BULWARK UNDER ATTACK.

(Received May 28, 9.40 a.m.)

ROME, May 27.

Correspondents state that the fighting on the Julian front was far more severe than on any previous Italian front, and equalled in violence anything during the present war. The Austrians transported a number ■divisions and a hundred guns from the Russian front, enabling them to make an unexpectedly strong resistance to the Italian but the Italians' ■dash and courage was magnificent, and ■proved capable of overcoming all resistance by a far superior enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, which was the principal feature of the battle. All the positions were captured at the bayonet's point. The Austrian losses were far greater than any previously ■experienced, especially among the Hungarians, several of whose regiments were almost completely wiped out. The Austrians^ had prepared a new system of defences higher uj> the moun- j tains behind the fortifications of Gorizia and Plava. The^ Anglo-Italian heavy artillery is pounuing the formidable positions at Hermada, the last bulwark toward Trieste. The Austrians have hurried up two .divisions and the battle on the Carco continues with extreme violence. Serious riots and open rebellion are •*eported at Trieste, owing to the increased brutality of the police and military towards Italians, due to the Italian successes. Many civilians, including •women, were shot for expressing satisfaction at the successes.