ITALIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3249, 21 June 1916, Page 25

ITALIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE.

ROME, June 14. A communique states: By brilliant assaults we captured a strongly-forti-fied line for the whole length of Riormini from the Parmesan height to the Legarina valley. The enemy were driven out from Molisini and Anosina, on the Astico front. RESUME OF POSITION. LONDON, June 13. An Italian semi-official report states that the situation on the Italian front has greatly improved during the fortnight. There was an impression that the enemy might pierce the lines and rea-ch the plains. The Italian policy was not to attempt to stop the Austrian advance on unfavourable ground, and it proved entirely successful. It was expected that the Austrians would take Asiago and Arsiero, but they wore unable to progress further. The enemy's slight advance on the wings was completely stopped, and the position now is that the enemy is held all along the line. The mistakes have been remedied, and will not be repeated. No doubt the Russian advance will prove a most valuable aid, and will transfer Austrians from Italy to Galicia. It must prove a long and difficult position, but the Allies were never more hopeful after the British naval victory, the Austrian rout, and the appalling German losses in the west.

ITALIAN COUNTER-ATTACK.

SOME TRENCHES TAKEN. ROME, June 15. A communique stales : The Napoli 6rb gade, with dismounted cavalry, captured some trenches east of Montfalcone after fierce fighting, in which they took 500 prisoners. HIGH COMMISSIONER’S REPORT. LONDON, June 15. The High Commissioner reports : An Italian official report says that between the Adige and the Brenta there have been reconnaissances ana artillery actions on both sides. The Italian artillery scattered enemy columns on the march, and shelled hostile batteries at several points. In the region of Mount Novegno two enemy attempts in the direction of Mount Goove Brazone were repulsed. Squadrons of aeroplanes bombed the stations at Mattrello and encampments at the junction of the Nos and Caproni VaD leys, with excellent results. Enemy aeroplanes bombed Padova (Padua), Giorgio, Denogand, and Port Rosega. Two persons were wounded and slight material damage was done. j ENEMY’S EFFORTS REPELLED. j ROME, June 16. j A communique says: Twenty thousand Austrians attacked our lines on the Asiago Plateau, between Mount Pari and Mount Lewerle, but they broke down, leaving piles of dead. The enemy at night attacked in the Lagarina \ alley, but fled precipitately at daybreak after three honrs’ severe hand-to-hand fighting. Our line at the Adige-Breya is firmly held. The enemy’s costly efforts to | break it failed. i A Bulgarian division has arrived on the Isonzo front to replace two Austrian divisions sent to Galicia. The seriousness of the situation in Galicia has spurred Austria to make desperate efforts on the Italian front, as it was impossible to transfer troops to , Galicia in time to stay the debacle. The | Austrian General Staff is striving for t decision in the attack against the Italians