AUSTRIAN GARRISON SURRENDERS IN A BODY.

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

AUSTRIAN GARRISON SURRENDERS IN A BODY.

LINES REMORSELESSLY KNEADED BY ITALIAN SHELLS INFANTRY CHARGES THROUGH SHRAPNEL BARRAGE., 4aslr*lian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. May 25. Mr. Percival Gibbons, telegraphing on Thursday, stated: " On the anniversary of Italy's entry into the war, the 3rd Army initiated a new year of righting by an advance over the horrible stone wastes of the Carso. The immediate objective was the sharp Austrian salient from Kostanievica, through the hamlet of Ludiiong, across the stony hills to the sea. The enemy lines were built into stone- The trenches were quarried out of the solid rock, and even barbed wire was held op by iron standards cemented into stone. " For ten hours a red hot hailstorm of shells of every calibre remorselessly kneaded the Austrian line. The charge of the Italian infantry came at four o'clock. The Austrians immediately replied with a shrapnel barrage, which might have been confetti for all the effect' it had up6n the chargers. Dust-caked men in gas masks and steel casques, dashed at the enemy trenches. "In the shattered village of Lukatino there was-not a single Austrian, survivor after the Italians had rushed in with their bayonets. The village of Jamiano was a system of vast subterranean shelters, Where the garrison was packed like sardines during the. bombardment. Here the Austrians surrendered en ma3se, 2000 being taken in the first rush. . v Before morning the commanders, like prisoners in cages, were wildly telegraphing for assistance. . Nine thousand prisoners have already been counted, many just arrived from the Russian front*'