WITH THE ITALIANS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3270, 15 November 1916, Page 15

WITH THE ITALIANS.

Aia Italian report announces the mutual sinking of an Italian torpedo boat and an Austrian submarine. Many of the torpedo boat's crow were saved. Italian torpedo boats entered Pola and attempted to torpedo a largo Austrian warship; and they sank a big Austrian steamer at Durazzo. An Italian armoured train badly damaged an Austrian torpedo boat bombarding Sant Elpidio. Italo-French air squadrons effectively dropped bombs on an aerodrome at Parenzo and military ships anchored at Cittanuova (both in Istria). The enemy air defences and - seaplanes ineffectually fired upon us and were counter-attacked by our squadrons and torpedo boats. The incursion on Pola Harbour, where the main forces of the Austro-Hun"'avian navy are barraged, was a remarkable exploit. The plucky little torpedo flotilla on November 1 penetrated for six miles down the Fasana Channel, and formed a string at the Brioni Islands. There /ire land batteries throughout the channels, end a big fort at Fasana, while each island is well provided with hidden batteries; yet the Italians forced their way through the mine fields and reached the southern extremity where the channel is as narrow as two miles. The flotilla approached within a few hundred yards of six Austrian warships, and then discharged torpedoes. Unfortunately these exploded against the torpedo netting. The Italians escaped, despite the searchlights and batteries ashore. Though the flotilla was not fully rewarded it had tho satisfaction three days later of sinking an Austrian transport at Durazzo. Italian reports of operations on land tell of the repulse of Austrian attacks. Italian troops were given a brief rest to bury tho enemy dead and collect enormous booty from caverns in which there wcro hundreds of Austrian wounded. A battery of four mountain guns was found among tho booty, making 20 guns captured on tho Carso battlefield. The Austrians to conceal their losses offered money for corpses. The weather has again broken. Rain fell heavily, mist covering tho hills, while mud is hampering operations east and south of Gorizia, where it is almost impossible for troops to move. Snow fell heavily. | Despite tins the Italians advanced and straightened their lines on the southern sector of tho Carso. An unusual movement of enemy troops and transport is progressing between Vail Arsa and Tcrragnolo Valley. The artillery is arrive on the Juliano front. II alessagero estimates the Austrian losses on the Carso at nearly 60 per cent, of the effectives. Tho battle revealed that tho Austrians no longer have an unlimited supply of munitions. Prisoners state that many batteries ceased to lire owing to lack of shells. Tho increasing activity on all fronts involves tho expenditure of munitions and guns nt a far greater rate than Germany and Austria are capable of producing. " Bulgaria and Turkey are producincr practically nothing. The Daily' Chronicle's Milan correspondont states that it is scmi-officially estimated that last week's battle on tho Carso cost Austria 25..000 combatants disabled. It is significant that the Austrians have not attempted vigorous counter-attacks, testifying to the gravity of their losses. A fresh artillery battle is proceeding in tho Southern Carso on tho .Tuliano sector, where a further advance is imminent. Tho Archdulco Frederick visited Trieste to inspect its ..defences. Tho xVustrians aro feverishly fortifying the place. The fleet is preparing to assist. The civilian evacuation continues. General Boroviec has

been disgraced for his unpreparedness for the last Italian advance.