ITALY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 160, 4 July 1918, Page 5

ITALY

EKEMMTTASKS\iRUSH'P BY ITALIAN ARTILLERY FIRE. FTJRTHER ITALIAN GAIN'S. (Australian and jST.Z. Cable Association and Reuter.) A LONDON. July 2. An Italian communique says:—Our artillery fire crushed new enemy attacks on Asiago- Plateau, inflicting beavy losses. Our operations m the north-western resrion,; of Monte Grappa yie'ded important: positions and 569 prisoners and manf machine guns We captured on Monte d.i V<il Bella, the Col ael Rosso, and the Col del Ghelo guns. IS trench mortars 57 ma-chine-guns, valid thou--acd« of rifles. AUSTRIAN SUPREME COMMAND. :A GERMAN APPOINTEiD. (Australian and NVZ. Cable Association . LONDON, 'July 3. The German general Otto von Below has been appointed to the supreme command of the in Italy.

| THc AUSTRIAN DEFEAT I SWEEPING CHANGES IN AUSTRIAN COMMAND. J FAILURE OF MUNITIONS. I (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) i (Rec. July 4, 10.10 a.m.) ! ZURICH, July 3. I A telegram from Vienma reports / sweeping changes in the Austrian comSmancis, owing to the Italian defeat. Field Marshal Von Koowehs replaces General Conrad. General Krauss, who Prince* Conrad. General Krause, who was Prince Eugene's Chief of Staff, becomes Ohief or the General Staff, re- ! placing General Von Ard. J The German, Von Below, has been i given supreme command of the Italian . front. | Telegrams from the military circles I in Vienna atribute the chief blame of the Piave defeat to the Bunga-riaia strike, which ' crippled the output of munitions. ■ > When the attack, was begun it was found that only seven days'' ammunition, was on hand. ' The offensive also was hurried', because the politicians hoped for a success , to relieve the political situation.

THE ITALIAN SUCCESSES. (Australian and N-Z. Gable Association.) (Rec. July 4. 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, July 3. Mr Jeffries states:—The capture of 'Col de Rosso, Monte Volbella were great operations, with brillian dash. Te defeated divisions included Emperor Karl's favourite Idelvreiss troops, under General ScheuBh.nstwel, the most trusted Austrian commander. The Austrian losses greatly exceeded 1500, ds reported, on Ist July. Two fresh regiments entered the fight jn the morning and by evening, neither existed. All were ■'killed or capturd. The Czechs fough with fierce courage. Charging desperately they flung the enemy with guns down the mountain, side. The Austrian defeat was largely due to failure to maintain communications, resulting ."n confusion. \ ,Mr Wara Price says : —The Italian losses are small beyond all expectations. All the crack Austrian divic sions badly need repairs. ITALIAN DRY DOCK.. • lAnstrolian and N.Z. Cable Association • (Rec. July' 4, 10.10 a.m.) ROME, July 2.

The Government is cutting a canal, connecting Lake Avernuß with the sea; and transforming the lake into a vast di*v dock.