ITALY’S PART.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17206, 28 June 1916, Page 7

ITALY’S PART.

AUSTRIANS DRIVEN BACK. ITALIANS SCORE HEAVILY. ALL CONQUERED POSITIONS • REGAINED. The High'Commissioner reports: — LONDON, June 26. A great Italian victory is reported from the Trentino. The Austrians were driven out of all conquered positions, DETAILS OF PROGRESS. ITALIAN LINE FIRMLY HELD. By Telegraph — Press Association —Copyright The High Commissioner reports: — LONDON, Juno 26. The Italian official report says that an intense artillery preparation on Saturday was followed yesterday by a substantial advance of infantry from the Vallarsa to the Setto Comuni plateau, the enemy withdrawing tapidly before the attacks, though resisting at some points. , „ . , In the Vallarsa we took Rao&si and stronglv fortilivu slopes ouuth-west of Monte Menerle. The enemy blew up the bridge and forts and set fire to Aste, St Anna and Staineri. On the Posina-Astico uue the enemy, beginning an advance down the Posma Valley, was driven into the head of the Cavities of Monte Pruchc. The greatest progress is on the right flank, where Priafora is occupied, and our forces are pushing towards the outskirts of Ouviero. ** At fye Setto Comuni plateau we have occupied the northern slopes ot Mounts Buisibollo, Belmont, Pannoccio, Barco and Cengio, south-west of the line Mount Longara-Galliq-Asiago-Cen-suna, where we are established. North-east c f the plateau wo have captured Mounts Cimone, Casteuaro della Contesse, and to tho westward Cima della Caldiera. On the whole front the enemy trenches are full of corpses and quantities of arms, ammunition, food ana material, and sharp lighting is confining. .. In the Carnic-Tsonzo region tliero is artillery five. 111 the valley the enemy s trenches are severely damaged by explosion;) and fires. 1 ROME, June 26. A communique also announces the re-cimhi'-e of C'astol Comberto and Mount Meletta. BRILLIANT ALPINE WARFARE. ITALIANS STILL ATTACHING .FURIOUSLY. (Roceived Juno 27, 10.40 p.m.) ROME. June 27. Hundreds of new big guns during tho last two days were unmasked on the heights and opened a tremendous- lire on both Austrian wings. How the guns were dragged to such Heights and along roads made in loss than two weeks, will be reckoned as the most brilliant teat of Alpine warfare. The result was that the Austrians unexpectedly saw then centre menaced. The Italians continue attacking furiously. AUSTRIAN WINGS SMASHED. (Received June 27, 10.-10 p.m.) LONDON, June 27. The “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent at Milan says that the Italians captured in a day positions which the Austrians had been three months m conquering, comprising the entire Mandrielle roadway system. They reconquered the summit ot Mount Cengm, giving the Italians command of tho valley of Arsiero. Motor transport played an important part in the success All the roads were lined with lorries and cars of every description. The gigantic labour of transferring half a million men proceeded for weeks, and hundreds of guns wero dragged up seemingly inaccessible mountains and over improvised roads When the guns opened lire from concealed positions, tho Austrian advance was broken in a sino-le day, and the rout began under a bail of shells. The enemy s only chance is instant retreat, otherwise the Austrians between the Posma and Asiago will bo annihilated. ROME JUBILANT. THE CITY DECORATED. ROME, June 26. Tho city is gaily docked in honour of the victory, and a great evening demonstration is being arranged. AUSTRIA’S EXPLANATION. “ WITHDRAWAL NOT NOTICED BY ITALIANS.” (Received June 27, 10.40 p.m,) AMSTERDAM, June 27. A Vienna, communique says:—ln order to safeguard our full freedom of action we shortened our front between the Brcnta and the Adige. This was completely unnoticed and was not hindered by ‘the enemy. Wo suffered no casualties. ITALIAN SHIPS SUNK. TWO VESSELS TORPEDOED. PARIS. June 26. The Italian auxiliary cruiser Citta di Messina was torpedoed in the Straits of Otranto. The destroyer Fourche, which was escorting her, attacked tho submarine, which disappeared. The Fourche was later herself torpedoed and auk Nearly all the crew were saved.