FURTHER ITALIAN GAINS ON CARSO PLATEAU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16550, 28 May 1917, Page 5

FURTHER ITALIAN GAINS ON CARSO PLATEAU.

LABYRINTH OF THE AUSTRIAN DEFENCES BROKEN. VIOLENT COUNTER-ATTACKS BY THE ENEMY REPULSED. By Telegraph— Association—Copyricbt. Australian and N.Z. Cable. (Received 7 p.m.) LONDON, May 26. An Italian communique states: Heavy fighting continues in the southern portion of the Carso Plateau. Another strong position has been captured, and 3500 prisoners taken, and much war material captured. A network of trenches, extending from the mouth of the Timavo to Feast, east of Jamiano, also the heights of Fiondar Medeazza were taken. After severe hand-to-hand fighting the enemy's defences in the labyrinth east of Boscomalo were broken. The hill and trenches round Kostanievica were taken. To the north the Tivoli positions were extended towards Vodice. An enemy attempt to dislodge us from Hill 652. an important position, failed. It is firmly ours. After violent artillery actions dense enemy masses made repeated and stubborn attacks, but were driven back time and again with heavy loss. Over 300 prisoners were taken. In the Plava sector further progress was made towards Rogat Valley. A later communique states: We drove the enemy to a line south of Jamiano, and extended our positions north of Jamiano to the outskirts of Versic. Violent counter-attacks on the southern Carso and in the Monte Cucco and Vodice area failed with heavy losses. Our aircraft effectively bombed the station at Santa Lucia. Three enemy aeroplanes were brought down.