FOLLOWING UP THEIR VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2809, 29 June 1916, Page 5

FOLLOWING UP THEIR VICTORY

CONTINUED ADVANCE OF THE ITALIANS POSITION AFTER POSITION RUSHED AND CAPTURED The High Commissioner reports;— ' > London, Juno 27, 7.10 p.m. The Italian official report states :-"Betweon the Adige and. the Brenta our advance was continued despite the enemy's attempts to hold lis with concentrated artillery and machine-gun fire, and also by rearguard actions, favoured by thq difficulty of the ground. . ■ "In the Val Araa our troops yesterday advanced across strong entrenchments on Matassono and Anghebeni, and completed the conquest of Mount Menerle. "Along the Posina line they cleared the enemy off the southern slopes of Mount Aralta. Crossing the, torrent they toolc Posina and Arsiero, thu3 beginning the advance on the northern sido of the valley. "On the Sette Comuni Plateau, our infantry, preceded by cavalry patrols, reached the line from Punta Corbin, Tresche, Conca, and Eondi, to Cesuna, Bouth-wfist of Asiago. " . . "On the north-east they crossed the Nos Valley, and occupied Mount I'iara, Mount' Taverlc, Spetz, ICeserle, fJid Cima delli Saette. "On the right our Alpine troops carried the crests of Caleira and Campanula, after much gallant fighting. In the Sugana Valley the situation is unchanged. .' , , „ "111 Upper. Vanoi we occupie<l Massif lognola. RETREAT ALMOST BECOMES A ROUT (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Milan,' June 27. l'or sixty hours the Italians have continuously regained ground. The enemy's retreat at certain points developed into a rout. North of Asiago the retirement was so precipitous that the infantry lost contact with the enemy. The cavalry for the first time advanced through thick woods and u>p steep hills, to engage and hold the enemy's rearguard. Everywhere the Anstrians are abandoning arms, provisions, and transport. Tho line of retreat is littered with dead and wounded. On top of Mount Cegnio, which was reconquered yesterday, the Italians found nn order to the Austrian troops ending: "The good wines and beautiful women of Italy are waiting for us." AUSTRIANS DENY THAT THERE WAS A VICTORY RETIREMENT VOLUNTARY AND WITHOUT SACRIFICES. (liec. .Tune 28, 8.40 p.m.). 4 Amsterdam, June 27. Au Austrian oflicial communique. states: "Tho shortening of our front between the Brenta and the Adige was completed on Monday. That the Italians' claim to victories is completely untrue is proved by the following facts:—On tho njglit of June 25 the partial evacuation of our advanced trenches, which were situated on unfavourable terrain, began after a week's (preparation. The Italians on the following forenoon continued the bombardment of the positions wp had evacuated, ?nd only at noon did Italian detachments timidly begin to move to some portions of our trout between the Astico and the Riwnna Valley. "The bombardment of our evacuated trenches on the Adige sector was continued during the whole of the day and the following night, and was proceeding at some points oil Monday morning. Therowas no lighting on either day. Wo lost neither prisouers, guns, machine guns, nor other war material. "Tho Italians are now approaching our new positions. They attacked Monte Fiasto on Monday morning, and were repulsed with heavy losses."