ANTICIPATING AUSTRIAN ATTACK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 14635, 19 June 1918, Page 3

ANTICIPATING AUSTRIAN ATTACK.

AUSTRIANS SHELL VILLAGES FAR

IN THE BEAR,

(Reuter's Telegram.)

ROME, June 17

Italian war correspondents state that the date of the enemy's offensive was fixed for a week ago, andl the Italian command was prepared. The enemy's movements never escaped, observation, even m bad weather, though large movements of troops were carried out. with the object of diverting attention from the real point of attack. The Italian and Franco-British artillery counterpreparation began at midnight, before the enemy's preparation started, and the Allies 1 artillery fire was so rapid' and accurate that the enemy's . lines wore thrown inta confusion. Even tho infernal fire of 2000 guns failed to silence our artillery. The enemy's first waves consisted of Czechs and Slovaks, but their losses were so heavy that they were withdrawn to the rear.

-The principal effort was entrusted to General Chenchemeil, who was ordered to descend! <by the Val Brenta to Bassano, while General Kirchbach's army was ordered to cross the Piave, aiming at Trevißo.

Austrian heavy guns shelled towns and villages far m the rear, three , hundred gas shells falling m Treviso alone.