Progress of the War.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 6

Progress of the War.

Apart from local operations and aerial activities, few ©vents are reported from the Western theatre in the messages published to-day. British, French, and American gains are recorded, but these are of no special significance, although they will doubtless hamper the enemy to some extent in his preparations for the next blow. There is as yet no indication that the next phase of the offensive is about to be launched, though tho correspondents at the front are unanimously of the opinion that big ovents are imminent. Details of the capture of Monte di Val Bella by the Italians indicate that the Austrians relinquished this important stronghold! only after a determined resistance. 1 Monte di Val Bella is the most important tactical gain made by the Italians for some time past. Nearly 5000 feet high, some four miles west of the Brenta Valley at Valstagna, it not only dominates a wide expanse of country on the mountain front, but also commands the Frenzela Valley, one of the gateways to the plains below, through which tho enemy unsuccessfully attempted to force a way on the occasion of his big drive last year and in the initial stages of his recent disastrous offensive. Tho Italians have also gained a footing on. the slopes of Sasso Itos&o, commanding the Frenzela Valley from the north. If this peak is captured, it will materially strengthen the Italian positions on this sector, at the same time affording additional protection to the Venetian plams below. No other military operations are reported to-day, and the remainder of the messages deal for the most part with politioo-militaiy aspects of the war.