ANOTHER AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, 25 May 1916, Page 5

ANOTHER AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

IMPORTANCE OF AN* ITALIAN" SUCCESS. (Rec. May 25, 12.20 p.m.) ROME, May 24. An Austrian officer stated that- 350.CC0 •parfcicipafce-d in the Trentino offensive, using 2000 guns, including 16 12-inch, mortars, and naval 15-inchsrs. ■ The Italian destruction of ¥ort- Sief was almost important event and key to the Austrian defence of the Eastern. Tyrol. The reduction enabled; the Italians to advance several kilometres in the direction of Brixen.

GREAT ARTILLERY PREPARATION". ROME, May 24. A communique states that tbc enemy are reported to be massing between Lake Garda and the Adige. Enemy aeroplanes bombed different places on the Venetian plain, no damage resulting. A few people were injured. Three Slavs deserted on May 14th and approached the Italian trenches. They stated that the attack would begin on the following day. The Italians were uncertain as to the point on the 350 miles of frontier where the blow would fall, until a bombardment of .incredible violence began. Scores of 12-incli guns were suddenly revealed at dawn, mounted on crags overtopping most of the Italian positions. Two "thousand 'cannon were assembled of every calibre, from mounted artillery to 16-inch guns. . Their fire swept over the valley, while swarms of aeroplanes soared above the Italian lines, wirelessly correcting the range. When the Alpini recovered from the first shock,.-they found that the vast network of trenches, which - had been patiently constructed for months, had been obliterated.

; The infantry onslaught began in the evening. Mitrailleuses cut down hundreds advancing in dense • formation, and the entanglements were heaped with dead.

' The battle raged incessantly for eight days. The Alpini defended every foot.the fighting being always in the snow. There are already 8000 Austrian dead. The Italians have thus far resisted the attempt to smash through and pour down towards "Verona. The Austrians are now occupying a small strip of Italian soil between Monte Maggio and Tonezza. ' Italy is strengthening her third line of defences. It is believed that- Monte Maggio and Tonezza will pi-ove the extreme limit of Austrian penetration. AUSTRIAN CLAIMS. AMSTERDAM, May 24. /An Austrian commamique claims a total capture of 23,885 Italians, including 482 officers, besides the capture of 172 guns. Further progress has been made south of the Tyrol front with the occupation of the Cima Madriolo and a height westward- of "the frontiei-.