THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15944, 15 June 1915, Page 7

THE ITALIAN ADVANCE.

ATTACK ON AUSTRIAN FORTRESS

HEAVY FIGHTING IN EAST BATTLE ALONG WHOLE FRONT. SUCCESSFUL FRENCH ASSAULTS Advices from Udine, in North Italy, state that the Italian attack on the Austrian fortress of Gorz, on the Isonzo, which . has been described as the hey to Trieste, has practically begun. The Italians are bombarding the environs of the town and the Austrian positions on the neighbouring hills. North of Gorz the Italians, by a sudden attack, succeeded! in capturing the town of Plava. Skirmishing continues in Trentino and Tyrol. p . Heavy fighting is reported from Fetrograd along.the whole eastern front from the Baltic to Bucovina. Strong German , attacks in the northern and middle regions of Poland and in Galicia have been repulsed. The Austrians claim to have gained some ground beyond the San, north of Przemysl, and to have crossed the Bukovina frontier into the Russian province ~ of Bessarabia. _ v " u ' : "; *" The recent German reverse south of Lemberg resulted in. v s • t the .Russians capturing nearly 16,000 officers and v men and "a'V-> .: great quantity of munitions and transport vehicles. A new . Anstro-German movement is reported, in Eastern Galicia. The ; enemy has; crossed the Dniester .-. at several points ' along a 3'&=mile front. A German attack north-west of Czernowitz, in Bnkovina, was repulsed. • > The French carried by assault a strongly=fortified ridge north of the sugar refinery at Souchez. In an attack north of . Albert, French infantry in a single charge carried three German trenches. Further progress has been made north of the Aisne. ITALIANS ATTACKING THE KEY TO TRIESTE. / ,' "AUSTRIAN FORTRESS ON ISONZO BOMBARDED, ;' CAPTURE OF PLAVA UPSETS ENEMY'S PLANS. ", ' | ■.■'.■':■ ■■ By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright. ••' : ; ...'.•■.-'■ » (Received June • li, 8 p.m.) ■-■':. '""■..' ; " * London, June 14. - : Advices from Udine state that the attack on the Austrian fortress' 1 • of Gorz, on the Isonzo, has practically begun. The Italians are bombarding the fortifications of Santa Maria, SanPietro, San Marco, and • Santa Lucia, besides,the Austrian positions on the mountains dominat- ~;• ing the town, especially ' Mount San Gabrielle, north-west of Gorz. • : The railway communication north and south of the town has been cut.. The Austrians' main : plan was to prevent the Italians crossing : the Tsonzo between Tolmino and Gradisca, believing that these points acting in conjunction would form an. insurmountable ; barrier. / 'The ' capture of Plavji, north of Gorz, -by the Italians, upset this plan.' •• .;'.,'

■ : Gorz, which has been •: previously described ' as, the 'key to ~ the ) Austrian position covering. Trieste, is : the' capital ■■ of the Austrian Crown • land of Gorz and • Gradisca. Its population in 1900 was 25,400, two-thuds being Italian and the remainder mostly Slovenes and Germans- -The town is picturesquely situated 03 the eastern. bank of the Isonzo, 35' miles north of Trieste by rail. On an eminence which dominates the town is an old castle'now ; used as a barracks. Owing: to the mildness of its climate Gorz, in : time of peace, was ■ a favourite' wirier resort, and received the name of the Nice of Austria. .-,■. ~ -, : _■'•- Gradisca,! which ; has been occupied .» by .the•, Italians, lies sit miles south west of Gorz, on the west bank 'of .-the Isonzo. •• ;•'..,-, ; : ■ ~'';'■ ■' ' Tolmino, which the Italians are attacking from /Monte Nero, lies 17; miles north of Gorz. •-■ '•■;;. ' . ' -■■;'■.-!-■'';•- -" ' Plava is situated ■on the Isonzo, between Gorz and Tolmino,' 1 ' six miles north,of Gorz. : ' • '• *\ ' GALLANT CHARGE DIRECTED BY WOUNDED COLONEL. AUSTRIAN GUNS STORMED UNDER HEAVY FIRE. ~ ' (Received Jusi'-li. 9 p.m.) .' y ' '~"'-.• -~'' '' * ■ ;:•;..) London, June 14. v r ; .; ■ Ali Udine, King Victor Emmanuel decorated Colonel with the medal of valour. Colonel Rossi led a column across the Isonzo against ■a strong position. At a critical moment the;ltalians' pontoon bridge was swept away. The Austrian* immediately hurled a strong force against the Italians, and attempted to sweep them into the river. • Colonel: Rossi and his men charged under a terrible fire. The Bersaglieri broke through the enemy force holding the bridgehead, and stormed the Austrian artillery commanding, the river. '-Colonel Rossi fell wounded, but he exhorted his men to continue the attack until the position was won. _ ■•- ■■.(:■., '//*?';;..- ';, _*' "^;ff"' .'•.