ITALIANS MAKE FURTHER GAINS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1028, 29 May 1917, Page 8

ITALIANS MAKE FURTHER GAINS.

HEIGHTS, GUNS, AND PRISONERS CAPTURED. FIERCE COUNTER-ATTACKS AT CASTAGNAVIZZA. A. and N.Z. CalJo Association and Eeuter. LONDON, May 27. An Italian official message states:—We have reached a point beyond the Monfalcone-Duino railway, north-cast of San Giovannia. We carried Ilill 145, south-west of Medcazza, and captured field artillery, ammunition, and 812 prisoners northward of Jamiano. We reached and passed Castagnavizza, but concentrated artillery compelled us to evacuate our new positions. We maintained and hold the western boundary of the town. We brilliantly carried heights at the head of the Palliova Valley, in the Plava sector. AUSTRIANS' PLANS COMPLETELY UPSET. ATTACK LAUNCHED IN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION. '' '/'/■ e Times" Service. LONDON, May 27. The correspondent of "The Times'' at Italian Headquarters states that the Italians outwitted and outfought the Austrians on the Carso front by working a surprise flank attack, whereas the Austrians expected an attack from the north-east. The Austrians spent all the winter strengthening the defences where the Italians broke through in November. Last week the Austrians withdrew their tired forces and replaced them with fresh troops to resist the expected attack, which was launched in such an unexpected direction that it resulted in the capture of a general and the whole of his staff.