AN AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 144, 17 June 1918, Page 5

AN AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE

THE ATTACK BROKEN.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.)

LONDON, *June 15

An Italian official report says: Early on Thursday morning, after intense artilery preparation, the enemy attempted to force the defences of Tonale Pass, launching an infantry attack 1 on Cady summit and Monte Celle ridge, immediately north and south of an. important road. Our firm resistance broke the enemy a impetus on the advanced lines,, and later our counter-attack and deadly artillery concentration stopped the enemy and definitely drove. them back at night time. " ' • Owv ban-age fire promptly crushed' a renewed attack northward of the road. The enemy's losses, particularly to their supports at the rear, were very heavy. We took 130 prisoners belonging to'four regiments. There is intensified artillery fire from Lagarina Valley to the sea, and extremely violent artillery fire to the eastward of the Brehta and the middle Piave. British aeroplanes on the morning of the 13th inst. dropped 1100 ikilogrammes of explosives, at. Cattaro. Although heavily attacked by aircraft and also attacked by an enemy chaser, they returned undamaged. The King of Italy reviewed the j Czecho-Slovak corps which is now in j readiness to fight for Italy.

OFFENSIVE ON THE WHOLE

FRONT.

(.Renter's Telegrams.)

i, ROME, June 16. iSignor announced that the Austrian offensive opened with a violent bombardment at three o'clock this morning. An infantry attack was launched at seven o'clock along the whole line, and nearly the whole front has become engaged since. The offensive extends with equally extreme violence from Astece to the Brenta, and thence to the Piave along the Piasse, involving the Astico plateau and Monte Grappa section, and the plain. Our troops offered a magnificent resistance, and the Austrians failed to achieve even the preliminary success customary in crushing offensives.

IMPORTANT ENEMY DEFEAT.

(Renter's Telegrams ) PARIS, June 16.

An Italian semi-official report says the number of prisoners illuminates the importance of the "enemy defeat yesterday. Their object was to break through, into Camajea Valley, the first day's objective being Monte de .Signe, and the greatest precautions were taken to , effect a surprise. **", PThe infantry were; conveyed to the lines afc the last moment in motor lorries, and an entire division was flung into the action according to the latest German assaulting tactics, against the slopes of Cady summit. )j*he storming parties were nearly everywhere crushed under a hail of shrapnel, and the enemy gained a footing in only three advanced and isolated Italian posts, from which they were driven out by counter-attacks.

PiRELUDE TO G'REAT OiFFEINSTVE-

(Rec. June 17, 11.5 a.m.) ROMIE, June 16.

The correspondent of the Corrieire Delia Sera opines that Austria's fruitless attack in Tonale Pass is a • prelude to the great offensive which has long been pi-eparing. Krobatin employed a whole division and his only success was the capture of Height 2545, which is within 300 yards of the Austrian start-irig-psint, and is dominated from Italian positions.

BEGINNING OF THE DELAYED OFFENSIVE-

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.)

(Rec. June 17, 8.50 a.m.) ROME, June 15.

Military critics consider the Austrian attempt to Tonale Pass means the beginning of the delayed offensive.