DETAILS OF ITALIAN VICTORY AT PLAVA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15950, 22 June 1915, Page 7

DETAILS OF ITALIAN VICTORY AT PLAVA.

HEIGHTS WON IN FACE OF TEBMBLE DIFFICULTIES.

WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS AND HIDDEN GUNS OVERCOME.

* Rome, June 20. Official details of the battle for the heights on the left bank of the Isonzo, commanding Plava, are published. , Plava is at the bottom of a pass shut in by steep wooded slopes, with a swift, deep river between. The Italian troops with great and courageous efforts threw

pontoons across in the night and attacked at dawn on the 16th in the face of terrible difficulties, including a deep network of stout barbedt wire reinforced with iron bars, and numerous hidden guns of a heavy . description.

The Italians after repeated assaults with cold steel debouched in the evening and took the first position. All counter-attacks were driven back. Tho Italians carried the heights on the 17th, but the enemy concentrated a violent artillery and machine-gun fire. They, repeatedly sent fresh troops to replace those decimated, but finally they were repulsed with the bayonet. The Italian losses were serious, but the results were important, states the report,

A message from the High Commissioner, under date London, June 21 referring to tho fight for the heights of Plava, adds that the Italians took over 500 prisoners, .Deluding four officers, and captured large quantities of rifles and EST and one raachine . gUn - The Iklian displayed fine tena" J