THE ITALIANS' ADVANCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13750, 31 July 1915, Page 3

THE ITALIANS' ADVANCE.

COLLAPSE OF COUNTER OFFENSIVE.

A DREADFUL HOUR FOR THE

ENEMY

ROME, July 30

During the second phase of the supreme Austrian counter-off ensivt against the bridgehead at isacrado on July 22 the enemy's columns suddenly lound themselves under a terrific crosslire from the Italian field batteries. Men oould be plainly seen being mowed down m dozens. For one tremendous hour the Austrians were unable to go either forward or backward, and stood Hying aim motionless targets for the Italian gunners. Tho blood-curdling scene only ended when a thousand survivors signalled their surrender. An official communique reports marked progress m the Cordesole Valley. The enemy's advanced force m the. Padora Valley were repulsed. The artillery wrecked another cupola at Fort Hensel. The enemy deployed great forces tv Carso, supported by a violent artilleryfire, and attempted to advance, but were driven back, suffering great losses. Prisoners state that defeated troops had just arrived on the scene, and one regiment of Alpinists was almost annihilated. Our advance continue- slowly. We took 1485 prisoners at Carso on Tuesday and Wednesday. AMSTERDAM, July 30. An Austrian official report states : — The Italians unsuccessfully attacked i the edge of the plateau near Sdrausina and Vermegliano. The enemy evacuated his position before the bridgehead at Gorizia and retreated to the position they occupied prior to the battle. I We annihilated an Italian company m the region of Tofana.