THE-ITALIAN ATTACK ON AUSTRIA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2531, 4 August 1915, Page 7

THE-ITALIAN ATTACK ON AUSTRIA

DARING ALPINI SURPRISE THE ENEMY (By Telegraph,—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Rome, August 2. The Alpini are overcoming. extraordinary difficulties. They surprised several Austrian positions north of Condiuo and along- the Ponale Valley, preparatory to an attack on Riva (at the north-west angle of Lako Garda). ITALIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. (Rec. August 3) 10 p.m.) ' Rome, August 3. Ojcial.— 'Our seaplanes raided Riva with excellent results. u our artillery bombarded Rovereto station. AVe captured Mount Medetta, Caniia, after a protracted battle, and the position is now firmly held. ' "There was a violent Austrian onslaught on Monte Sirusia. Our fire shattered the attackers, sind then drove them back in great disorder. Crack Austrian troops were engaged, including a' regiment of the Emperor's. Jaeger Corps, the whole of which was almost annihilated." DISASTER THREATENS AUSTRIAN LINE RAP lb DEVELOPMENT OF ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. ... (Reo. August 8, 10 p.m.) . London, August 3. The "Daily Chronicle's" Rome correspondent writes.—"The fall either of the Tarvis fortifications or those at Tolmino and Gorizia would result in the collapse of the whole of the Austrian defence from' Camia t.o the Adriatic. If Gorizia falls the Austrians must wheel eastward, with their light wing under cover of the Tarvis forts, and make stands on the Idria River and tho Save River. If Tarvis falls they must retreat to tho Dravo in order to block tho Vienna road, while tho Austrians operating ou the Middle and Lower Isonzo will be in danger of being surrounded. "The -Lombard Alpini, who conquered the spurs of Mount Piccolo, have turned the enemy neck and crop from his vast outworks at Enrogctop, on the Austrian left wing at Malbqrgbetto. The Italians feinted a forward movement at Lushnitz, and the Austrians immediately sent reinforcements from Russnitz. Tho Italian big guns opened a furious bombardment, ploughing up the trenches at Forcella and Dicianalot, while their long-range artillery prevented the reinforcements returning. Tho Alpini then seized four thousand feet of tho ground at Mount Granuda, and by a iiercc front-il attack captured Forcella and Dicianalot, taking prisoner 107. The rest were bayonetted." DEMORALISING EFFECT OF ITALIAN ARTILLERY. ■ .'Rec. August 3, 10 p.m.) ' Milan, August 3. The Italian artillery have rapidly advanced and successfully commenced attack on the second Austrian lino from. Rubbia to Pietra Ross a. There have been extraordinary daily captures of Austrian officers, due to tho demoralisation of tho fiien, who are panic-stricken, terrified by tne artillery, and abandon tho officers, enabling the Italian infantry to make forward dashes and effect the captures. The Italian advance is forming a wedge between Gorizia and Tolmino, causing concern, and rendering tho railway useless to the Austrians. AUSTRIANS AGAIN FORTIFYING VIENNA. London, August 2. The Rome correspondent of the "Echo de Paris" states that, owing to the Italian successes, the Austrians have resumed tho fortification of Vienna, which was stopped when tho Russians left Galicia.