CADORNA'S CONFIDENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16559, 7 June 1917, Page 5

CADORNA'S CONFIDENCE

MANY HARD KNOCKS TO GIVE

DIFFICULTIES OF 'CAMPAIGN.

. . \ LONDON, May 28. Describing the operations on the Carso and Isonzo front, Mr. Keith Murdock, representative of the United Cable service,

says the Valley of Gorz divides the great battlefield into two rugged, mountainous sectors, each about, ten miles .long. In .each sector are peaks, . which the Italians are gradually _ r outflanking and capturing. This process, when complete, wOl compel the Austrians to evacuate She valley, and bring General Cadorna a considerable step - nearer to Trieste. These mountainous parts are more like the rough left flank of the Australian, position at Gallipoli than any, European battlefield. It has been remarkable to see the Italian infantry—little black dots like ants on amound—scaling a hill, or gathering under shell-fire lor the attack. .During these moments the Austrian gunners have poured all available shrapnel upon the attackers, and throughout the offensive have maintained shell-fire on the back lines, wing many naval guns and heavy howitzers. But compared with the British and French, fronta the Austrian artillery fire this weekend was lighter, indicating a withdrawal of many guns. In these regions the shells burst with a wide and shattering effect, and frequently, even on the Carso, dislodge great rocks, which tumble to the , bottom of the gorges.

At his simple headquarters to-day Count Cadorna received me. He expressed his pleasure at meeting an Australian for the

first time on the Italian, front. When ' I referred to his newest triumph he said

delightedly that he had many hard knocks to give yet. This expressed the snirit of the man. He is an aggressive, strong fighter, wiry and alert—a smiling little man, with lightning speed of thought and decision and action. There will be long and hard fighting before Trieste falls, but I have not seen any soldiers more confident, brighter, happier, or fresher than the Italians. General .Cadorna * has ' the Austrians wondering where the next blow will fall, for his ! offensive armies are well scattered.. I j went to-day to the outer Carso, and saw evidence of the desperate nature of the fighting. The losses on both sides were numerous, but owing to the machine-pun - fire and injuries caused by rock-splinters there is an extraordinarily high percentage of slightly wounded there.' I found in . hospitals and prison encampments .ample / proof, that General Cadorna exacted from the Austrian!, a heavier price than totgwdt ■■-•■ .'.- '■ v*£ '" If .4 \ >..,.-•.■;.