ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16433, 12 July 1915, Page 5

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

FINE WORK BY ALPINI. SUCCESSFUL NIGIIT ATTACK. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, July 9. (Received July 10, at 7.20 p.m.) The Italians have captured Mont Mont'cello. Tho Alpini, roped together, descended several thousand feet to the valley whence, late in the evening, they began the ascent of Mont Monticello, climbing its perpendicular side in the starlight and approaching the unsuspecting Austrians, whom they attacked at midnight. Only two Austrians escaped. Tho position has been consolidated, and will greatly assist the attack upon Port Daccarin.

Tiie Italians aTe only 30 kilometres from Trieste.

KING VICTOR. RIVALS KING ALBERT. SEEKS THE DANGER SPOTS. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.) LONDON, July 9. (Received July 10, at 7.30 p.m.) It is quite a common sight to see the King of Italy in his modest motor car speeding along the roads under the Austrian fire. King Victor generally carries a quantity of cigars and cigarettes with him to distribute among the troops. He spent a day amid the Alpini, and gave each a hearty handshake. Amongst them King Victor saluted a dozen parliamentary deputies, including the famous Socialist leader, Signor Bissolati, who is serving as a sergeant in the ranks. The King Tises from an ordinary camp bed at 4 o'clock in the morning, and an hour later Eipeeds away to the most critical spot on the front. GENERAL PROGRESS. ROME, July 11. (Received July 11, at midnight.) Official: A strong enemy force of infantry attempted to surprise our position at Malgaleno and the Decne Valley, but completely failed. ' One of our detachments has pushed forward at Terragnolo, in the valley of the Adige. We have captured positions at Malgasarta and Costa Bella, dominating the valley. We repulsed two strong attacks at the head of the Franza Valley, in Upper Cardevole. Our Alpini daringly scaled Mount Ofana and surprised the enemy, who were entrenched in the Travonauzes Valley, making prisoners of 20 men. An artillery duel is proceeding on the Isonzo. THE AMALFI. AUSTRIAN REPORT OF THE LOSSES. LONDON, July 11. (Received July 11, at midnight.) Vienna newspapers state that 176 of the Amalfi's crew perished. DEFENCES AT POLA. TAKEN OVER BY THE GERMANS. ZURICH, July 11. (Received July 11, at midnight.) The Germans have taken over control of the defences at Pola. All the forts and barracks have been mined, and will be blown up if the Italians enter the town.