THE ITALIAN FRONT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17089, 22 August 1917, Page 5

THE ITALIAN FRONT

A BIG OFFENSIVE,

EIGHT THOUSAND AUSTRIANS

CAPTURED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association,

LONDON,' August 20. _ The Italians are carrying out an offensive along a 37-mile front. They . have captured 8000 Austrians.

ENEMY POSITIONS SMASHED

SUPPORT FOR AUSTRIANS,

ROME, August 20. Many enemy positions on the Isonzo front have been reduced to dust. The Austrian supports are hurrying up to the front.

A GREAT BATTLE. STILL IN PROGRESS. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association and Router. LONDON, August 20. An Austrian official message says : The great Isonzo battle continues with undiminished force. ITALIAN SUCCESSES. VIGOROUS FIGHTING CONTINUED. ENEMY'S LOSSES HEAVY. Admiralty, per Wireless Press. . LONDON. August 20. An Italian official message says : Northward of Anhovo we overcame the enemy's resistance, threw numerous pontoons across the Isonzo, and crossed to the left bank. We crossed the enemy's first line between Plava (north of Gorizia) and the sea, despite a desperate resistance. _ Squadrons totalling 208 aeroplanes participated in our attack, and bombarded the enemy's reserves. Infantry and artillery work is -vigorously proceeding. The enemy's losses were most serious. We captured considerable booty, including gnns and machine guns, while 7600 pr£ soners have already been counted. A WIDE AREA COVERED. Tho Times. LONDON, August 20. (Received Aug. 21, at 8.5 p.m.) The Italian offensive covers the widest front of any western offensive—approximately 43 miles. BRITISH GUNS ASSISTING. The Times. LONDON, August 20. (Received Aug. 21, at 8.5 p.m.) Rome reports that numerous British guns are assisting in the bombardments. Although the Italian gun-fire is never comparable with that on the Franco-Bri-tish fronts, the stony ground doubles its effects. CONCENTRATING ON HERNADA.. A MILLION MEN ENGAGED. The Times. LONDON, August 20. (Received Aug. 21, at 8.5 p.m.) _ Vienna reports that the Italians are specially concentrating at Hernada, dominating the coastal road towards Trieste. It is estimated that 1,000,000 men are under fire, and that 1,000,000 are in reserve. The whole battle ground is a series of rocky and desolate hills. AUSTRIANS PERPLEXED. A GIGANTIC STRUGGLE. INCREASING IN INTENSITY. « Router's Telegrams. ROME, August 21. (Received Aug. 22, at 0.25 a.m.) The Corriere d'ltalia says the chief importance of the advance of the Italians is that it has definitely broken the Austrian resistance on the right bank of the Isonzo, near Tolmino, enabling the Italians to threaten the enemy left wing. The offensive is simultaneous along the whole front, and the Austrians are perplexed regarding the final objectives. Correspondents are unanimous in stating that the battle is the most colossal in Italy s war experience. The fighting develops with the greatest intensity. The enemy, expecting an attack on the Carso Plateau, concentrated its best troops there, but did not reckon with the Italian aeroplanes.

ALARM IN AUSTRIA.

Router's Telegrams. ,-d •' -j * BE RNE, August 21. (Received Aug. 22, at 0.25 a.m.) A wireless message states that the Austrian newspapers publish alarmist articles regarding the Italian battle, but they recommend the public to remain confident in the wisdom of the high commands.