AUSTRIAN DEFEAT IN TIE TRENTINO

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 5

AUSTRIAN DEFEAT IN TIE TRENTINO

SIGNAL VICTORY FOR THE ITALIANS ENEMY COMPELLED TO RETREAT The High Commissioner reports:— London, Juno 20, .'),5 p.m. "Tliero has 'been ;i great Italian victory on the Trentino front. Tlio Aus. triaus were driven out of all the conquered positions." London, June 2G, fi.lfi p.m. 'l'lto Italian official report says: "Intense artillery preparation on Saturday was followed yesterday by a substantial advanco of' infantry from the Val Arsa to the Setts' Coruuni plateau, the enemy withdrawing rapidly before our attacks, though, resisting at some points. In tho Val Arsa we took Eaossi and tlio strongly fortified slopes south-west of Monto Menerle. Tho enemy blew ■up tho bridge at Fonti, and flrod Aaste, St. Anna and St. Aineri. "On tho Posina-Astico line the enemy, beginning an advance down the I'osina Valley, wns driven in to the head of tho ravines of Monti Pruche. "Tho greatest progress is on the right flank, where Priafora is occupied, cur forces pushing towards tho outskirts of Arsiero. "At the Sctte Convnni plateau we havo occupied the northern slopes .of Mounts Busibollo, Bolmonte, Pannoccio, Barco, and Cegnio, south-west of the Mount Longara-Gallio-Asiago-Cesuna lino, where we are established. "Nortlj-cast of the plateau we havo captured Mounts Cimonc, and Delia Contesse, to the westward of Cimadicaldiera. "On the whole front tho enemy's trenches arc full of corpses, quantities of arms and ammunition, food and material. Sharp lighting continues. "In tho Carnia-Isonzo region there is artillery fire. In the valley, the enemy's trenches havo been severely damagod by explosions and fires." WONDERFUL WORK BY THE ARTILLERY HUGE GUNS POSTED ON DIZZY HEIGHTS. (By Telegraph—Press Associ tion—'"cpvrigM). (Rec. .Tuna 27, 10/10 p.m.) London, June 27. The "Daily Telegraph's" Milan correspondent writes: "The Italians have captured in one day positions which the Austrians took three months to conquer. These positions comprise the entire Mandrielle roadway system. Tho reconquering of the summit of Cengio gives the Italians command of tho valley of the Arsiero. Tho motor transport played an important part in tho Italian success. All tho roads were lined with lorries and cars of every description. The gigantic labour of transferring half a, million men proceeded for weeks, and hundreds of guns were dragged up seemingly inaccessible mountains over improvised roads. "When tho guns opened fire from their concealed positions, tho Austrian advance was broken in a single day, and the rout began under a liail of shells. Their only chance wa? instant retreat, otherwise the Austrians between the Posina. and the Asiago would have been annihilated." TERRIFIC BLAST FROM BIG GUNS. (Rec. Juno 27, 10.50 p.m.) Rome, Juno 27. "Hundreds of new big guns during the last two days were unmasked on the heights, and opened a tremendous firo on both tho Austrian wings. How the guns were dragged up such heights, along roads made in less than two weeks, will be reckoned as one of the most brilliant feats of Alpine warfare. The result was that the Austrians unexpectedly saw their centre menaced. "The Italians continue to attack furiously." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. CRec. June 27, 10.40 p.m.) Amsterdam, June 27. An Austrian, official communique stales: "In order to safeguard our full freedom of action, we have shortened our front between tlio Brenta and the Adige. This we accomplished completely unnoticed or unhindered by the enemy. Wo had no casualties." REJOICINGS IN ROME. Rome, Juno 26. The city is gaily decorated in honour of the victory.' .4. great, evening demonstration is being arranged. ITALIAN NAVAL RAID ON DURAZZO TWO AMMUNITION STEAMERS SUNK. Rome, June 26. An Italian official communique states: "Some of our naval vessels on Srin» ' day entered tho protected portion of Dnrazzo. roadstead and sank two steamers, of 5000 and 3000 tons, which were laden with ammunition. "Our vessels returned safely." ITALIAN CRUISER AND FRENCH DESTROYER SUNK. Paris, June 2G.The Italian auxiliary cruiser Citta Di Messina (311)5 tous) was torpedoed in the Straits of Otranto. The French destroyer Foarche, which was escorting her, attacked the submarine, which disappeared. The Fourche (715 tons), later herself was torpedoed and sunk. Nearly all'the crew .were saved.