SUCCESSFUL BRITISH FIGHTING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15531, 19 June 1918, Page 2

SUCCESSFUL BRITISH FIGHTING.

LONDON, June 18. Mr Ward Price states; The most important attempt by the Austrians to cross the river Piave was at the Monte Nello sector, because that point represents the hinge between the mountain and the Piave sectors. Latest reports show that the fighting on the British front was more successful than first accounts indicated. The enemy has so far engaged twenty-nine divisions out of fifty-nine AUSTRIANS SAID TO BE DEMORALISED. BRITISH RESISTANCE EXHAUSTS ENEMY. (Tne Times.) LONDON, June 17. Mr Ward Price writes: The large number of Austrians prisonered on the Italian sector indicates the energy of the attack and the determination with which it was countered. Most of the ground gained was along the Piave, where the enemy made three principal crossings, and established three bridgeheads preparatory to blinding the Italian artillery and aeroplanes with vast quantities of smoke-shells. Both river and trenches were enveloped in a dense black fog. An Austrian patrol hurried forward with *boats and rafts and crossed the river under randum fire, then pulled over reinforcements in pontoons. The most noticeable crossing occurred in the important Montello sector, where the Piave leaves the mountains and enters the Venetian Plain. The results on the British sector were better than were reported earlier. ’The British resistance exhausted four enemy divisions, whose casualties are estimated at 5000. Ours were comparatively trifling. We prisonered 700 and captured many guns. Our patrols are constantly collecting abandoned war material. The enemy is thoroughly demoralised. The deficiencies in comparison with the British are more evident than ever before. Apparently only fourteen fresh divisions arc available for continuance of the disappointing enterprise. The French flung back the enemy easily after a brief attack adjoining the British sector. CAPTAIN RIZZO’S EXPLOIT. FRUSTRATES AUSTRIAN PLAN. ROME, June 17. The Giornale Italia says the Austrian Naval Division which Captain Rizzo broke up when he torpedoed the Szent Istvan, was proceeding on a mission to bombard a town on the Adriatic in conjunction with the land offensive. THE AUSTRIAN PLANS. WASHINGTON, June 17. Diplomatic despatches from Italy state that the Austrian plan is to smash the Italian defences in, the Brenta region, capture Bassano. and simultsffieonsly cross the Piave, capture the railway junction at Treviso, and trap the Allies between giant pinchers. AUSTRIA’S MAN-POWER WANING. LONDON, June 18. Italian semi-official.—Seventy-one of Austria’s ninety-two mobilised divisions have already been identified, constituting the whole of Austro-Hungary’s efficient troops. The enemy is employing all available artillery and aircraft. No fewer than 7500 guns are in action. Three Austro-German armies are engaged under Field-Marshal Von Neownn —namely. Von Scheutchenamel’s array, between Astico and the Piave; the Archduke Joseph’s, at Montello; and Von Wurma’s, on the Lower Piave Thousands of bodies cover the ground in the mountain sector and are becoming heaped along the Piave. The gains, af ter two days, are very slight, compared with the objectives assigned for the first day. Captured orders urge the necessity of capturing the fortified area with a view to reaching Italian supplies. It was also provided in the instructions for the army living on the country’s resources, and for personal pillage. ENEMY HELD EVERYWHERE. LONDON, June 18. Italian official,— At Asiago and Monte Grappa the enemy action was limited. In the Mouelto sector the enemy, despite losses, endeavoured to advance towards the Plain, but was held everywhere ITALIAN SOCIALISTS. THE RIGHT SPIRIT. ROME, June 17. An emotional scene took place in the Chamber of Deputies, when the Socialist leader Turati proclaimed the solidarity of the Chamber in the solemn crisis. “In the face of death knocking at Italy’s door, we feel,” he said, “many judgments must be altered, and we offer the Government the Italian Socialists’ assistance.” The Deputies rose in a body and cheered wildly. Bissolati embraced Turati.