THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3312, 5 September 1917, Page 17

THE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE.

Italian official messages state-: Having overcome the enemy rearguards on the Bainsizza Plateau, we are attacking a! powerful line, which the enemy are defend, ing desperately. Wo in the heights eastward of Gorizia. No fewer than 246 aeroplanes participated in the battle. We drove back strong Austrian counter-attacks endeavouring to retake out positions on the Bainsizza Plateau JEasbward of Gorizia we maintained > our post* tions and advanced at some points. An enemy attack between the Vippaco River and Bossofaiti failed. We thrice repulsed attacks In the Travenanzes Valley. On the Bainsizza Plateau and the Carso our fighting was directed to consolidating our pos* sessions on the heights "and rectifying the line. We obtainrxl advantages on the northern slopes of Monte San Gabrielle and in Brestovozga Valley. We repulsed with, heavy losses repeated violent counterattacks on the northern slopes of Monte Ban Gabrielle and eastward of Gorizia. We carried elements and trendies in B'estovizza Vallev. We have taken prisoner 720 officers and 26.481 men since the beginning of the battle. On one of their flights our aeroplanes A**~-~A three and a-hr.lf tons of bombs ' '-'-ay establishments at Grahovo. W pulsed counter-attacks on the southern edge of thr> Bainsizza Plateau, the northern slopes of Monte San Gabrielle, and eastward of Gorizia. We. extended our gains in the Bestov'zza Valley, and recaptured a position of 35A0 metres on a height in t.ho Upper Zebru Valley.

CAPTURE OF MONTE SANTO. The capture of Monte Santo (four and a-lialf miles north of Gorizia) is hailed as a great victory. The Austrians defended their positions tvith the greatest tenacity*

The Italians assaulted in three columns — the first column from Vodice (on the north), the second in a frontal attack from tho Isonzo, and the third from Doll (? Salcano). An Italian flag was cut into three pieces, and the leader of each column was given a third of it. When the victorious columns met on the summit of Monte Santo tho three pieces were joined together again, and tho flag was hoisted over the top of the convent. The Austrians are continually putting in shock troops to assist their counter-attacks, and are rushing up reserves from all the fronts.

The capture of Monte Santo has the Italians access to _ tho Vippaco Valley. Nevertheless, the entire possession of the latter is a prerequisite to the siege of Trieste. But, before conquering tho Vippaco Valley, the Italians must capture Ternova Wood, which flanks it on the north. This will give them command of the Laibach Plain, and will also enable them to turn the Carso Plateau. The difficulties of the ground in the Ternova district are considerable, and will possibly enable the Austrians to prolong their resistance. Tho fact that Germany regarded the Isonzo as an insurmountable barrier for tho Italians explains their withholding assistance from the Austrians.

Writing in the Daily Chronicle, Mr Percival Gibbon states that the Italian attackers are utilising captured food, rendering the victualling problem easy. Something like a battle movement manoeuvre has replaced the trench warfare on the northern positions of the battle ground. Tho Italians are filled with the highest hopes.

German and Austrian correspondents state that the Isonzo battle is tho greatest battle ever seen. The Italian army is twice as great as in any previous fight on the Italian front. Tho Italians are tenfold more numerous than the Austrians m some places, and they also have 1000 batteries. The fact that the Italians directed thenartillery on Monte Santo from two sides compelled the withdrawal of tho Austrians on a front of six kilometres. Monte San Gabrielle is now the only barrier protecting the Austrian positions north of the GoriziaIsonzo Pass.

The Cologne Gazette states that the Italians havo taken portion of Monte iSan Gabrielle, the Austrians evacuating the mountain.

The whole of the Bainsizza Plateau is now in Italian hands. The battle on the uplands beyond continues in thoir favour, and southward the occupation of Kobilek and Madoni gives them possession of the southern outlet to the Chiapovano Valley. The battle movement began with the Italian northward advance turning out the Austrians from their trenches and caverns more effectively than, by smashing blows with heavy guns. General Cadorna attacked nlong the whole line. The preliminary fighting was an attempt to find a weak spot, which) was found in the north "and south of the Avachex Valley. The Austrians. gave way before the impetus of the reinforced by two battalions of Alpini. Fresh troops poured through the breach. The Austrians expected the main attack on the Carso Plateau. The Italian third army was engaged here, smashing an Austrian division and taking prisoner 4500 men. Other divisions lost heavily. Despite preparations on the Carso front, the Austrians were unable to prevent the Italian thrust—where it was driven home —towards unci beyond Selo. In seven days' fighting the Italians have conquered four defensive systems. Such was the violence of the Italian bombardment of the Bainsizza Plateau that it reduced Chiapovano to a heap of ruins. It is believed that 15,000 Austrian-wounded are in hospital at Laibach. General Cadorna, interviewed, stated: I can say that our present operation is one of the most important in the war, because of its vast objectives, daring methods, and probable effects militarily and on the enemy's morale. Our superiority is undoubted. Our imminent decisive success means the turning point of the war." Mr Julius Price (official correspondent) says the advance has given the Italians the possession of 93 milos of splendid country, including the strongest portion of the Austrian line on the Middle Isonzo. , Already a great number of guns and a vast' amount of material have been captured. The prisoners in the enclosures total over two divisions. < An important fact is that the victory is still unfinished. The Italians are advancing with amazing rapidity. Military highways have been constructed with lightning speed, and guns, ammunition, and water pushed forward over the Bainsizza Plateau. German newspapers assert that Marshal von Hindenburg, at a war council, urged that the plateau was untenable, but General Conrad insisted on the necessity for holding it at all costs, as it commanded the strategio line between Tolmino and Gorizia. Correspondents emphasise the Itab'an monitors' dominance in the Gulf of Trieste. They wrecked the railway to Nab"risina and Comens, which is indispensable to the enemy for the transport of reinforcements and supplies. The monitors are now shelling the rear of Hermada Hill. AUSTRIAN LOSSES. The enemy's losses are officially estimated at at least 100,000 during the offensive. Already 14 strongly-fortified mountains have been stormed and captured, and a breach created in the Austrian line 11 miles in width. The rout of the centre (Genera) Boroevich's) army was so precipitate that the Austrians had no time to spike their guns, destroy the ' foodstuffs and munitions hidden in-the depths of caverns, or burn the elegantly-furnished officers' quarters. The Italian booty includes 1000 yoke of oxen, 17 trench mortars of a new type and bigger calibre than has been seen before. Three hundred Austrians were completely isolated in Brestovizza Valley for 12 days. They fought desperately, but eventually a bayonet charge ousted them. This is typical of the Austrian resistance on the Carso front, but a steady advance continues towards San Gabrielle, and the encircling movement in developing uninterruptedly despite furious counter-attacks by picked troops. THE DECISIVE FRONT. Paris newspapers are discussing the possibility of putting Austria altogether .out of the fight. They noint out that General Cadorna believes that a severe defeat will force Austria to sue for a separate peace. He has always maintained that the Italian is the only front where an offensive has every chance of a decisive result. The Idea Nazionale suggests that the Ttnlian is now the principal, possibly tho decisive front, and calls on Britain to put forth her greatest effort there. EVACUATION OF TRIESTE. The Austrian military authorities have

ordered the evacuation of Trieste. A great many civilians have already left. All valuables have been removed. Tho Austrians announce that Italian cavalry are marching on Laibach. It is believed tho announcement is intended to justify tho necessity of evacuating Trieste and the Carso, and'to enable the armies to concentrate for tho defence of Laibach.

A French expert writes that if the Italians, after the occupation of Monte Santo and Hcrmada, follow the road to Trieste or tho road Napoleon traced to Vienna, they will strike Austria vitally, and the invasion will quickly result in a renewal of Austrian overtures for a separate peace, not only with Italy, but with all the Allies. AUSTRIAN REPORTS. Austrian official messages state: Wo evacuated Monte Santo- without a fight on tho night of August 24. ■ A superior enemy force forced us to evacuate the heights near Horeja. The Austro-Germans captured positions on the Dalzck, taking 1000~ prisoners. A ten days' battle took place on the Bainsizza Plateau, but our unbroken resistance proved us to be tho victors, despite tho Italians' superiority. The Italian thrust is more powerful than hitherto. It claims to have repulsed attacks at Bainsizza and Monte San Gabrielle, and also claims to have defeated attacks near Gorizia, Graziana, and San Marco. Two strong attacks noi-th-wost of Kal were broken. We rcoulscd massed attacks near Podleszemad and: Britof. The Italians entered trenches at Monte San Gabrielle, but our counter-thrust drove them out. Our prisoners now number 10,000. Enemy airmen thrice bombed Trieste during the past 48 hours. Tho Italians dropped 70 bombs on Trieste. AUSTRIA APPEALS! FOR HELP. Germany, replying to an Austrian nnpeal for reinforcements, declared that she is unable to render assistance. Germany also refused to send the Austrians some aeroplanes, despite Italy's marked superiority in the air. The Agedia Liberta (?) states that information from Berlin shows that the Austrian defeats have greatly alarmed German military t oirolcs. The Kaiser has arranged for a special interview with the Austrian Emperor, who is desperately apnealing for help. It is reported thai yon Hindcnburg sent one army corps.