AUSTRIANS SURPRISED.

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

AUSTRIANS SURPRISED.

ROME, June 16. A communique states: Large Austrian forces were surprised at night on Wednesday in the Lagarina Valley, and after three hours' desperate Gght ing we put the enemy to flight. Ai dawn the retreating forces wer< heavily shelled in masses. The strength of the enemy was estimated at 18 battalions. After a violent bombardment and several attacks at Monte Paria and Monte Lemerle an impetuous assault broke down, leaving heaps of corpses. We counterattacked successfully. The communique adds: Between the Adige and the Brenta, despite the enemy's costly attempts to break our resistance, Ave are now strongly established along the whole front. COSTLY ATTACKS BY AUSTRIA. ROME, June 17. A communique states: After repeated and costly efforts tha enemy reached the summit of Monte Lemerle, but our counter-attack immediately dislodged him. We progressed ; north-east of Asiago, and carried I possetta and Monte Magari, inflicting | heavy loss. Our aircraft dropped 160 J bombs a.nd 60,000 arrows on the enemy camps north of Asiago and returnee 1 i safely. NEW ITALIAN CABINET. ROME, June 18. A Royal decree sanctions a further war expenditure of 400 million lire. The new Cabinet, with Signor Noselll ; as Premier, Baron Sonnino as Minister of | Foreign Affairs, and Signor Nissolati as ' Political Commissioner of War Services^ represents a continuity of policy and a more vigorous prosecution of the war. Signor Arlotta assumes the new Min« istry of Railways and Mercantile Marine, and Signor Denava the new Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 1 AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE CONTINUES. NO TROOPS WITHDRAWN. ROME, June 18. A communique states: The continuance of severe fighting on the Asiago Plateau indicates that the Austrians are stubbornly persisting in their original offensive, and that events on the east front have not materially affected Austrian activity in the Trentino. The enemy have not withdrawn troops. It will be mora difficult later, in view of our counter* offensive. We have dispersed enemy advance posts between the Adige and Astico. Tho i

enemy violently attempted to break through between Mounts Lemerle and Magnaboschi, and were driven back. We made further progress in the Sugana Valley. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. LONDON, June 18 (3.45 p.m.). An Italian official report says : Yesterday between the Adige and Astico our artillery was active, and the infantry assaulted the enemy's advance posts, capturing arms and ammunition. South-west of Asiago the enemy renewed violent pfforts to break through our lines, but on ipach occasion was driven back with heavy losses. Between Fremzela Valley and Marcessina our infantry continued to advance, but Avas impeded by hostile artillery and enemy dispositions in strength in difficult wooded country and with machine guns.