THE ITALIANS HOLD ON

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1358, 20 June 1918, Page 5

THE ITALIANS HOLD ON

N DESPERATE AUSTRIAN ASSAULTS MET MO LARGE GAINS REWARD THE ATTACKS DEFENDERS EXACTING TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE TOLL „..-.- By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. [A. & N.Z. & Router.) (Ree. June 20, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, June 18. An Italian official message states: —■ The violence of the battle has somewhat decreased on the mountain front, but is increasing along the Piave. The enemy's renewed attempts opposite Meserada and Cadelu, to establish openings on the right bank of the river, on Monday, were sanguinarily repulsed. The struggle raged unceasingly from Fossalta to Capo Sile. Formidable attacks alternated with counter-attacks, and the beginnings of vigorous advances were crushed or arrested. The struggle was suspended only late at night. The Italians were strenuously tried, but the enemy was unable to increase the short depth of the strip of ground wherein the fighting had been raging for four days. We took 1550 prisoners. Our airmen tirelessly participated in the battle, and worked effectively, notwithstanding the heavy rain. On the northern edge of the Height of Montello we strengthened our occupation on the river as far as Casaserena. The enemy, from the north-eastern salient of the mount, delivered two attacks. The first was arrested eastward of a line north-east of Giavera (on the southern fringe of Montello), and the second was withheld immediately southward of the Sanmauro-San Andrea railway. Partial attacks in the Monte Grappa region were repulsed. Enemy thrusts at the end of the Brenta Valley and eastward of the Freuzella Valley were promptly arrested. ft* On the eastern margin of the Asiago Plateau we wrested from the enemy Razeapizzo and the heights to the south-east of Sasso, taking 300 prisoners. We and the French, strongly attacking, gained ground on the spur of Costalunga, taking prisoners. The British further west took numerous other prisoners. The bearing of the Italian and Allied troops was admirable. From Stelvio to the sea every man understood that the enemy absolutely must not pass. Every defender of Monte Grappa felt that each yard of the historic mountain was sacred to his native land. To all our own and the Allied artillery may be assigned the particular merit of breaking the first impetus of the onslaught. CLAIM NINE THOUSAND PRISONERS. A. & N.Z.) (Ree. Juno 20, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, June 19. The' Italians have captured a total of 9000 prisoners and many guns. AUSTRIANS CLAIM SEVERAL SUCCESSES. ;A. & N.Z. & Router.) (Roo. Juno I'n, 10.40 a.id.) LONDON, June 18. A wireless Austrian official message states:— General von Wurm gained ground at numerous points in Venetia. His southern wing, fighting stubbornly, reach Fossetta Canal. The Archduke Joseph consolidated his successes in the Montello region. Counter-attacks broke down. We captured in three days in this region 73 guns, including many of heavy calibre. The enemy's counter-attacks on both sides of the Brenta were constantly and vainly renewed. British attacks southward of Asiago were equally unsuccessful. Our prisoners are now 30,000, and the guns captured 120. IMPORTANT PART OF LINE STILL INTACT. A. & N.Z.) (Roc June -". 11.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 19. Mr Simmons, writing in the "Tribune," says that, measured by the results of the three days, Austria's attacks seem a complete j^ilure.. Everything depends upon whether the Allies can hold the important mountainous region where, the line is, so far, intact. The fact that 72 divisions of Austrians were engaged disposes of the possibility of a large Austrian force participating on the West front. OPTIMISTIC TONE OF AMERICAN PRESS. A. & N.Z.) (Roo. June 20, 9.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 19. The newspapers show a most optimistic tone about the Italian situation, believing that the Allies' line will withstand the attack. BLOW EXPECTED FROM GERMANY. A. & N.Z.) (Re.-. June 0.10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, June 19. .Military officials stale that a Fortnight will show whether the Austrian offensive is a complete Failure. It is expected thaj within that period Germany will strike a desperate blow on the West Front, probably on the northern sector. The "New York Times,"' in an editorial, alludes to the offensive as a "stationary-drive" offensive, which has not achieved even the initial success that was expected. Doth sides were now contending on even forms. It was the most cheering news that we had had for a long lime. GERMAN ATTACK ON RHEIMS FRONT. ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE THE CITY FRUSTRATED. The Germans began a new offensive on the Rheims front, An attack on Rheims, intended to capture the town, was stopped, the French counter-attacking successfully. % STRENGTH OF OPPOSING FORCES. ALLIES AND CENTRAL POWERS ABOUT THE SAME. [A. Sc N.Z.) (Ree. June I'd, 11.1" a.m.) NEW YORK, June 19. The Paris correspondent of the "Now York Times" quotes Senator Berenger as stating that the Allies are not appreciably inferior in numerical strength. They have about 7,000,000 men, which is roughly the same as the Central Powers. The enemy's apparent superiority is due to the massiiig'of men at points he. selects For attack.