AUSTRIA DEMORALISED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2921, 6 November 1916, Page 5

AUSTRIA DEMORALISED

TEN THOUSAND PRISONERS IN TWO DAYS ENEMY'S THIRD LINE ATTACKED GENERAL RETREAT POSSIBLE ALLIES AND GREECE Amplified accounts now given of the great attack launched by the Italians, on a front extending from east of Gorizia to the sea, show that it was driven homo with splendid success and with overwhelming effeot upon tho enemy. (About ten thousand prisoners are already reported, and tho Italians havo vory notably extended their foothold on tho Carso plateau and thoir command of its military . avenues. The enemy's defencos diave been so deeply penetrated that it is thought possible he may havo to seek relief in a general retreat. It is expected that tho Italian victory will materially ease the pressure on Ru- , mania; but as yet no very striking change is roported in that quarter. Bad weather is hampering operations in the Western theatre, but both French and British have effected email gains. Civil war on a email scale obtains in Greece, where Royalist and Nationalist forces are in conflict over the possession of a small port on the Gulf of Salonika, and the outlook is rather uncertain. THE ITALIAN BLOW ON THE CARSO FRONT AN INTENSE CANNONADE i. CAPTURED POSITIONS CONSOLIDATED (By Telegraph—P-cess Association—Copyright). I Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Rome, November 3. The Italian bombardment on the Carso on Tuesday was an intense cannonade, and the following morning it was still more violent. The artillery suddenly lifted, and tho infantry began to attack along lEe whole line, gaining five hundred yards in the Pecinka sector in the first push. The Pecinka and neighbouring bills lad previously proved stubborn obstacles, but tho attack this time could not be gainsaid. A mist veiled the attackers, but the gradual retreat of tho Austrians' shrapnel puffs indicated progress. Soon the Italians passed the summit of Pecinka, Velikihribach, and Lokvica. After'mid-day the enemy pounded the roads leading towards tie .orest, beyond which tho fight still raged. The battle nearer tho sea was much more intense.

At 1 o'clock on the battlefield, which had previously been sTiroudcd in mist, but which was now lifting, large groups of Italians wero visible crossing tlie captured crests, ffiln the wake of the attacking line two long columns of prisoners were descending the slopes to thoVallone. The Ausfcrians began a heavy bombardment of the captured, crests, but the Italians countered with intensified fir© from their batteries;

The victorious Italians solidly occupied the new positions, while tlic foremost lines steadily pressed forward.

1 RESULTS OF THE FIRST DAY'S FIGHTING. Rome, November 3. The first' day of the new offensive in the Carso cost the enemy a loss of 15,000 men. one-third being prisoners; The 21st Regiment and other units were annihilated. . There is fine -weather, and the battle is h'oing continued fiercely. The enemy counter-attacks were feeble, the disordered troops being demoralised. FURTHER ITALIAN GAINS NEAR PECINKA. (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. onrl Kont.pr.l | (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) ■ . London, November 4. An Italian communique states: "Tho Eleventh Army Corps captured strong positions eastward of Velikihribach, and Mount Pecinka. We extended our lines westward of the Oppacchiasella-Castagnavizza Road and took prisoner 3498." AUSTRIAN SOLDIERS SEEK INFORMATION^ Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. November 5, 5.5. p.m.) v ■ London, November 3. Prior to the recent battle the Austrian soldiers floated messages down tho streams to the Italian lines asking: "Let us know when you are beginning the attack, as we intend to retire." ' ENEMY FOUGHT WITH DETERMINATION BUT WAS SOON BEATEN. (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) L ... , , • Ti ,■ , Milan, November 4. The positions taken in the new Italian advance constituted Austria's strongest-defences since thes fall of Gorizia. The main Italian attack was first directed against Vehkihnbach and Pecinka, but the enemy effected a large concentration at Castagavizza and Hudilog and began a desperate resistance. Hudilog became the centre of a furious battle. Tho Austrians fouehfc with determination, but were soon overcome. The capture of Pecinka was most noteworthy, and has been rendered a second San Michelo after Gorizia'"! fall. The -Italians are now in better command of the Vippacco valley, and thi Austrian position behind Ga-stagavizsn. VALUABLE OBSERVATION POSTS CAPTURED (Aust.—N.Z. Oablo Assn. and Router.) (Rcc. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) ■i tl v •o: • i r\ London, November A. Au Italian semi-official message says: Our advance in the Northern Oarso vigorously pressed on tho 2nd, particularly on tho ridge commanding the Castagnavizza Road tho principal artery of communication. " The Italians from VaUono scaled tho rocky terraces eastwards and drovo the enemy beyond the hills southwards, advancing to a depth of 3.V miles and reaching the third Austrian line, capturing valuable observation posts' . Two days fighting has resulted in a considerable extension and consolidation of the Italian occupation ,of the Carso. The fact that a. brigadier ind other high officers are among the prisoners taken on the 2nd shows the dcnt'li penetrated by the Italians. AUSTRIANS MAY BE FORCED INTO A GENERAL RETREAT Auslrptf«n-New Zealand Oabb Association. (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) ' , . '. , RomB > November 3. lho capture of ton thousand prisoners in two days proves tho great success of the Italians' effort to draw off the pressure on Rumania. The Austrian attacked numbered a hundred battalions of Landwehr troops and several battalions were completely destroyed. The Austrian defences consisted of three lines, while a fourth was in process of construction. The Italian artillery s'wept away tho first hue in a few hours; the second was considered impregnable, but was quickly taken by assault, and the third is now being attacked. If promptly captured tho Austrians will be forced into a general retreat. Tlie.y are already withdrawing their big guns.

Following upon formidable artillery preparations the Italian infantry is pressing on Duino, an important railroad junction which_ is already being subjected to a terrific bombardment. _ This "prevents it being used for forwarding reinforcements to the various sectors. Tho Italian gunnery was strikingly effective. A single shell in one small valley annihilated an Austrian company by blowing np the ammunition store. Tho most terrific firchting was a.t Voliki Hill wlilch was crowned by tho heaviest Austrian artillery. The lightning Tapidity of the Italian advance o'stonisM ih« Austrians, who llorl without oven removing the breech blocks. The Italians immediately trained the guns on the flpoinc Austrians with great effect. The Italians charced at Vertobizza, waist. hi<rh in water, using their bayonets as daggers, and clubbing the Austriaiis with their riflo butts.

All Italian airship bombed enemj works and warships at Scbouico and caused crest firesj

j HOWITZERS, MACHINE-GUNS, AND MATERIAL CAPTURED. The High Commissioner Tcporl.s:— t. i- a: • i 1., ~, London, November 4, 5.45 p.m. An Italian officia report states: h the Travignolo valley we assaulted and carried the so-called observatory on the .south slopes of Cimabocdhe, which wo consolidated. "In the Carso offensive, further• posticus wore stormed and captured yesterday. Tho captures included a battery of four-inch howitzers, machineguns, guu ammunition, transport column, and quantities of material." CLAIMS IN AN AUSTRIAN-COMMUNIQUE. (Ansl.—N.Z. Cablo Assn. o.ni Ticutcr) (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) , . . , London, November 4. An Austrian, communique claims to have gained ground south-cast of tlio Rotherthurm Pass, and south-west ot the Prcdeal Pass, against tho Rumanians, and .asserts that gigantio Italian attacks wero repulsed, two thousand Italians being captured. Tho Austnans admit tho loss of two batteries on tho Careo. ENEMY EVACUATES FORT VAUX HEAVY EXPLOSIONS VERDUN'S BELT OF FORTS RE-ESTABLISHES (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Aesh. and Kculer.) . . . „ . , ~ Paris, November 3. A communique states: Owing tho violence of our bombardment for several days, the enemy, not awaiting tho attack of tho infantry, whose pressure was becoming ever.closer, yesterday afternoon evacuated Fort Vans, without loss leS< * esplo6l<m& were Wo occupied the fort ab night Tle beltof the extorior forts °f Verdun is now entirely re-established and firmly held by us, GERMANS ABANDON ALL HOPE OF ASSAULTING VER DUN Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Roc. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) mi, , London, November 3. ~ Daily Chroniole s Paris correspondent reports: "After the evacuation of Vaux Fort early in the morning the French, in tranches four hundred .yards away, heard explosions marking the blowing up of casemates and material, and wisely delayed tho occupation, of the placo, and explosion after explosion, ui the afternoon, rent the whole placo which was cunningly laid with mines which would have annihilated any troops precipitately occupying it. The explosions ceased at night, whereupon the French took possession. The episode is interpreted that tho Germans, besides being unable to repeat their former efforts, have abandoned all hope of resuming the assault on Verdun; moreover, Hindenburg, whose eyes are fixed on tho east, was deaf to the Crown Pnnoe's entreaties for more men to win hack something of his lost prestige." A GERMAN WIRELESS MESSAGE. _ . , , . London, November 3. A berman wireless message claims that the withdrawal from Fort Vaux was not observed by the French, who bombarded the empty fort for many hours, an 3 then strongly assaulted it and found it deserted. Owing to the French gains near Fort Douaumont, Fort Vaux was valueless, and the Germans therefore retired to a favourablo line. FRENCH INFANTRY CONTINUE THEIR ADVANCE. (Aust —N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reutor.l (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) . , London, November 4. A 1 French communique states: "On the riglit of the Mouse, after the capture of Fort Vaux, tho infantry continued to advance as far as the outskirts- of the village of Vaux to the north of the Vaux Lake, and gained a footing on the crest dominating tlie village. Tho enemy did not counter-at-tack. * , "There has been the usual artillry activity elsewhere. INTERMITTENT CANNONADING ON THE WEST FRONT. (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) . . ... London, November 4. A Pans communique states: "There is intermittent cannonading on the Somme and Verdun." WESTERN PART OF THE VILLAGE OF VAUX SECURED. (Rec. November 5, 11 p.m.) London, November 5. A Pans communique says:—A fierce attempt to eject us from the captured trenches at Saint Pierre Vaast Wood was doTeatea. We extended our progress on the right of the Meuse in the region of Vaux, and hold the western part of the village. Wo advanced several hundred yards north-east and east of the i'ort on the slopes descending to the Woevre.

BRITISH CAPTURE A TRENCH EAST OF GUEUDECOURT. . . London, November 3. Sir Douglas Hai£ reports: "Wa surprised and captured a trench cast of Gueudecourt, and successfully raided trenches at Etrenas." A COUNTER-ATTACK COMPLETELY REPULSED. (Bee. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 4. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We completely repulsed a counter-attack on the trench wo captured on Thursday eastward of Gueudccourt, with heavy losses." ' SUCCESSFUL RAID ON THE ENEMY'S LINES. (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) «• , t. • , .London,. November i. feir Douglas Haig reports: 'Wo successfully raided tho lines north-cast of Armentieres and expelled the enemy." CONSIDERABLE HOSTILE SHELLING OF BRITISH LINES. The High Commissioner reports London, November .3, 12.10 a.m. British official.—"There has been considerable hostile shelling in the neighbourhood of lesboeufs, Dos t rem en t Farm and Le Sors; also activity north and south of Ypros, and north of La Bassee. The weather is wretchedly unfavourable for aviation." French official. —"TVe captured trenches west of Saint Pierre ,Vaast, and also progressed in the village of Vaiix." BOMBARDMENT NEAR THE LA BASSEE CANAL. (Auat.—N.Z. Cable Assn. end Router.) (Rec. November 5, 11 p.m.) London, November 5. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—Thero has been considerable hostile shelling around Lesboeufs. We ttombarded tho La Bassee Canal in the neighbourhood of Boisorenier and Messines. AEROPLANE LOSSES ON THE WEST FRONT. AustraJian-NciT Zealand Cable Association. London, November 3. According to communiques, 171 aeroplanes wero lost on tho West front during October. The British brought down 39, the French 65, and the Germans 77. The September total was over 300. EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION IN GREECE VENIZEUST SOLDIERS 'ATTACKED ROYALIST AND NATIONALIST TROOPS IN CONFLICT Anstralian-New Zealand Cable Association, Athens, November 3. Six hundred Greek National troops camo in conflict with a detachment of Royalist evzones at tho village of Litochnri, on this sido of the Cerna River, Tho evzones wero forced to retreat to Katerina, which later they ovacuated, and Nationalists occupied Katerina, capturing all tho military stores. The Government has dispatched roinforcements from Larissa. ' T ROYALIST REINFORCEMENTS SENT. London, November 3. The "Daily Mail" correspondent at Alliens states that an extraordinary situation has been created owing to the officers at Larissa sending reinforcements to oppose tho advance of tho Vemzelist soldiers from Katerina (which a few days ago was occupied by 500 Venizelist troops, tho Greek anny garrison flying). This is considered intolerable, and has filled tho Vcnizelists with astonishment.

KING CONSTANTINB MAY REVOKE HIS PROMISE TO REMOVE TROOPS i 'wholesale arrests of spies and suspects ordered. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Ree. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) mi _ ~ ~ ... , London, November 3. Morning Post s Athons correspondent states that serious complications are threa-tened as a sequel to the occupation of Katcrina. Tho carbon of ISC feebly resisted, and suffered live killed and thcn .otired The Government obtained the Irench controlling officer's permission to send reinforcemonts. The opposing forces aro now facing each other. Whether this is a preludo to civil war one cannot yofc say. Tho Velizelists point out that in consequence of torpedomgs they have been .-compelled to transport volunrl.ur jS Ka . t « rl , n , a ' 7 ] l lch tho Venizelisfcs must therefore hold, lhe Daily Chronicle s Athons correspondent says tho Rovalist reinforcements numbered four hundred, but it is stated tho Nationalists outnumbered the Royalists. Tho Royalists are letter equipped with machine-euns It is reported that the Allies refused to allow tho dispatch of further Rovalists. A Royalist newspaper asserts that King Constantino will revoke his tiromise to remove troops fromi Thcssaly to Pelopponesus owing to tho National--Ist advance. The correspondent also states that tho Entente is immediately ordering the wholesale arrests of spies connected with submarining and over two hundred suspects in Athens and tho Piraeus. . Admiral du Fournot has sent a message to the Labour Unions that hp is convinced the Angeliki and Kiki were the victims of submarines, tho reBulfc of oeirayal by agon is ashore, and adds: "I s.m arresting suspects whothor Greeks or foreigners, and shall refuse to consider any Greek protests. l '' NEGOTIATIONS FOB A SETTLEMENT IN PROGRESS. 0 (Itac. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) r, .. , , ~_ , . , Athens, November '4. The fighting has been resumed at Katerina between tihe Royalists and Nationalists. Admiral du Fournet states that negotiations are in progress whorebv within ten days, no difficulty will be placed in the way of volunteers proceeding to Salonika._ j Seven Greek ships have been, sunk in twelve days. STRENGTH OF THE VENIZELIST ARMY. fPnntcr'c Telegram .1 CR.eo. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) rpL v ■i- , • ■ , m . Salonika, November 3. ~ in® venisebst.army is thirty thousand strong, and of these sevonteen thousand are ready for the field. SUCCESSFUL BRITISH ATTACK ON THE STRUMA -■ENEMY FLEES AFTER A' HALF-HEARTED RESISTANCE. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. . . London, November 3. Mr. Ward Prico, writing from Salonika, states that operations on the Struma began at daylight on Tuesday, the British attacking at half a dozen places, each attack being carried out independently. There was immediate and full success, resulting in the capture of Baraklidjuma, which is now thoroughly secured. Since we captured Balazir and Yrkri, on September 30, when five thousand of the enemy were put out of action, the enemy has gradually resigned the mastery of the Struma valley. Baradlidjuma commands one of the principal roads towards Bulgaria. The enemy resisted half-heartedly, and fled from the houses in the village" Wo had very few casualties. It is signifiant that the Bulgarians have not made a real counter-attack. BRITISH STORM AND CAPTURE A VILLAGE. London, November 3. A French communique states: "The British' stormed the village of Alitsa, on the left bank of the Struma." FIERCE ARTILLERY DUEL ON THE CERNA FRONT. (Aust.—N.Z. Cable Assn. and Beuter.) (Rec. November 5, 11 p.m.) London, November 5. A French' communique from the Eastern army says:—An artillery duel continues at various points, the fiercest being at Cema. There have been no infantry actions. RUMANIAN VICTORY IN THE VULKAN PASS SEVERAL GUNS AND MUCH WAR MATERIAL CAPTURED ■ (Anst —N.SS. Cable Assn. ,and Eon tor.) | (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 4. A Bucharest communique says: "Our pursuit in the Vulkaii Pass continues. We captured there four more guns, and muoh war material. There is violent fighting on the whole front of the Rotherthurm Pass. "The enemy violently attacked in the Buzai valley, occupied two heights, and progressed beyond tho frontier. The position is unchanged elsewhere." ( PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY BY THE RUMANIANS. (Rec. November 5, 11.35 p.m.) ' London, November 5. A' Rumanian communique says: We advanced west of tho Buzen River, also northwards at. Tablabutzi, and continued the pursuit of the enemy west of tho Vulkan Pass. RUSSIAN TROOPS MOVING INTO RUMANIA. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, j (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) Rotterdam, November 4. The "Berliner Tageblatt" States that all Russian passenger and rail | traffio to Rumania has been suspended owing to troop movements. ! GROUND GAINED BY THE RUSSIANS ON THE STOCHOD. (Anst—K.Z. Catle Assn, and Boutor.) . ' (Rec. November 5, 5.5 p.m.) London, November <1, A Russian communique shows that yesterday they rogaincd a little ground west of the Stochod and in Galicia. DESPERATE FIGHTING ON THE RUSSIAN FRONT Auatralian-Now Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. November 5, 11 p.m.) London, November 5. 'A Russian communique says:—There is desperate fighting on I lie south-western front, south of the village of Lipitzadolnaya. The enemy, after a furious bombardment, attacked in great strength, and were repulsed at various points, but captured a portion of our advanced trenches on the heights east of Efpitza'dolnaya. The fighting continues. The Turks in the Caucasus attacked our front at Sightkoldar-Guildnr-melikan, and were repulsed. An enemy attack on tho Rumaniains in tho Alt Valley, Transylvania, collapsed under a cannonade. The enemy is in tho direction of the Vulcan Pass, continues to rotiro northwards, pressed by the Rumanians. Tho Dobrudja is quiet.