ITALIAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS IN EARNEST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14744, 25 October 1915, Page 5

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS IN EARNEST.

ATTACKING WITH UTMOST FURY. BLOODY STKl'm I.K PKOCREDINO. LONDON, October 24. Though the Balkans campaign is hi Iding first place in public interest, the sudden renewal of the Italian campaign is watched with the closest attention and hopefulness. There seems no doubt that the general Italian offensive has began in earnest. Communiques on both sides devote most attention thereon, and it is clear the fighting is being cc nducted with the utmost fury. Official statements emphasise the bloody nature of the struggle. DASHING WORK BY ITALIANS. IMPORTANT POSITIONS CAPTURED. LONDON, October 24. The Italian version states that the offensive began successfully in the Tyrol and Trentino and extended on ihe whole front to the sea, and is progressing favourably. After Intense artillery preparation on the whole Isonzo front the Italians attacked strong positions, consisting of several lines of trenches, covered by extensive entanglements. Tbe Italians dashed forward under a concentrated enemy fire of artillery, machine guns, and rifles, and showers of grenades. The attackers carried with the bayonet a number of important positions In the Monte Nero zone, numerous trenches in the Santa Lucia-Tolmini sector, and at Monte Sabatino, north of Gorizia, and broke the lines at Carso in several places. THE AUSTRIAN ACCOUNT. LONDON, October 24. An Austrian communique says the general Italian attack on the coastal district has begun, as was qxpected, aftf rSO hours’ violent bombardment. Bitter fighting proceeds at the Tolmino biidgehead and the edge of the Doberdo Plateau. After partial success, all the attacks broke down with heavy losses. Enemy detachments penetrated the Austrian trenches, but not a man survived. When the day closed the field in front of the Austrian positions was covered with Italian dead. There was a particularly bloody struggle at Monte San Michelle, and furious hand-to-hand encounters. The enemy losses were heavy. FURTHER ITALIAN SUCCESSES. 3000 PRISONERS ( APTURED. ROME, October 24. A communique states; We carried by assault Mt. Noties, vest ward of Lake Garda, completing the command of the Ledro Valley. We progressed on the Upper and Middle Isonzo, and repulsed two violent counter-attacks. ■ ' * We progressed, after sanguinary flitting, on the whole front of the Carso, particularly towards San k|artino del Carso, and captured 3000 prisoners, including 60 officers, and a great quantity of munitions.