THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9075, 21 June 1915, Page 5

THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN

TOLMINO BECOMING A SECOND PRZEMYSL By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received Juno 20, 3 p.m.) ROME, Juno 80. With a garrison averaging thirty thousand men, and powerful natural and artificial defences, multiplying the possibilities of resistance .Tolmino is gradually becoming for italy what-Przejnysl has been to Russia. Tolmino, being the key to the Isonzo Valley, its early capture, with a view to ensuring the safety of Friuli, is indispensable. The Austrians have been reinforced, and more have been taken off, without result, against the Italians encamped at Brentonico, on the slope of Altissimo Mountain, at Serravalle, in the Langarino \ alley, and also in the Arsa \ alley. UNDEFENDED TOWNS BOMBARDED (Received Juno 20, 3 p.m.) ROME. Juno 20. Official. —“Austrian scouts and destroyers bombarded the completely undefended towns of Perario and Rioini damaging only a few houses. Ihree civilians in Bioini were slightly wounded.” MILITARY AND NAVAL OPERATIONS (Received June 20, 4 p.m.) ROME, Juno 20. Official. —“Our artillery continued to bombard Marlbroghetto, which attempted to reply, but was silenced. . On the night of the seventeenth our airships bombarded positions at Monte Santo, and trenches near Gradisca, partially destroying the railway station at Ovciadraga, on the Goritz-Dorn-berg line.”. , Naval official.—“ The Austrian fleet bombarded the lighthouse at the mouth of the Tagliamento. Our destroyer, flotilla repulsed the attack afterwards bombarding Tannario and the Austrian lighthouse at Salvare. An Austrian destroyer bombarded Monopoli, and unsuccessfully attempted to ignite tho naphtha depot. Wo bombarded a munition and armament factory near Trieste. An enemy destroyer torpedoed tho small steamer Maria Grazia. Ihe crew were landed.” ITALIAN FLEET CO-OPERATING WITH BRITISH AND FRENCH PARIS, June 18. Official.—The Italian fleet is co-operating with the British and French in tho Mediterranean t and is policing tho Adriatic, seeking out the petrol depots whence German submarines are obtaining supplies. ANNIHILATION OF HUNGARIAN BATTALION (Received June 20, 4 p.m.) ROME, June 20. The Hungarian battalion which was annihilated, as cabled yesterday, climbed Viata Mountain hoping to outflank the Italian position. The Alpmi, creeping through the undergrowth, withheld their fire till they were close, and then poured a rain of bullets. They .sprang forward with their bayonets, and the enemy was terrified and confused, and tried to escape. They found Alpini on every side, and the entire battalion was killed or taken prisoners. CAPTURE OF THE TRANS-ALPINE RAILWAY ROME, Juno 18. Tho Italians at Plava cut the trans-Alpine railway, capturing in a tunnel a train containing cannon, machine guns, and a quantity of ammunition. AN ITALIAN PORT BOMBARDED ROME, Juno 18. . An Austrian cruiser and four destroyers, bombarded Fano (a seaport on the Adriatic twenty-nine miles north-west of Ancona). The damage done was insignificant.