SWELLING ROAR OF BATTLE ALONG THE PIAVE LINE.
DISASTROUS AUSTRIAN DEFEAT IN THE MOUNTAINS.
SLOPES OF MONTE TOMBA LITTERED WITH THE DEAD. Australian and N.Z. (Received 8.10 p.m.). ROME, June 18.
The din of battle is now loudest on the Piave line, having lessened on the mountain front, where the enemy losses have been stupendous. Along the 25-mile front between Val di Assa and Monte Tomba the Austrians fcist fully a third of their storm troops, which were left strewn on the ground before the enemy's withdrawal to his original entrenchments. No fewer than nine desperate assaults made on Monte Grappa, always with fresh reserves, failed. Before the enemy desisted the craggy slopes were black with corpses and littered with broken machine-guns and rifles.
United Service.
LONDON. June 18.
A correspondent on the Italian front reports that the enemy losses in the British sector were nearly six times as great as ours. The general result might suggest a highly successful British assault. Captured documents showed that, the Austrians hoped on Sunday to secure the heights commanding the whole Astico Valley. The latest news indicates that the enemy positions from Montello to Sant Adona, in the Carnic foothills, are exposed to concentrated Italian fire, and will soon be untenable unless supported by a general enemy advance on the Piave.
Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON. June 18. The battle amid the mountains in Northern Italy is dying down, but it is fiercer towards the. sea. The Italian Command is satisfied that it is able to hold the enemy. British and French military critics are of opinion that the Italian situation is excellent. The principal battle is raging for Montello crest, which is crossed from north to south by 21 roads. If taken this would enable the Austrians to dominate from the flank and rear the Italian positions on the Piave. The French Press is satisfied that the Austrian offensive is a failure.
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16881, 20 June 1918, Page 5
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321SWELLING ROAR OF BATTLE ALONG THE PIAVE LINE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16881, 20 June 1918, Page 5
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