GREAT ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN FULL SWING

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3087, 18 May 1917, Page 5

GREAT ITALIAN OFFENSIVE IN FULL SWING

BRILLIANT OPERATIONS ON THE ITALIAN, FRONT STRONG POSITIONS STORMED AND HELD (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright). Rome, May 16. TIIO battle on the Julian front has assumed epic proportions. The attacking front 'is ilO kilometres (56 miles) long. Tho enemy's lines have been broken, in spite of the most stubborn resistance. Many fortified positions and trenchcs lia.vo been captured. The action continues with groat violence.—Aus.-N.Z.-Cable Assn. (Itec. May 17, 5.5 p.m.) v London, Slav 18. An Italian official communique states: "Our vigorous offensiyo on tho Julian front has been resolutely continued. Infantry established themselves on tho, heights on the eastern bank of the Tsonzo, northward of Gorizia. These had been transformed into a formidable fortified position. Our left wing columns forced the passage of tho river and raptured tlio village of Bombres. We captured, on our centre, the heights north-east of Plava, stormed tho villages of Zagora and Meagomila, and carried the crests of Monto Cucco and Monte Vodicc. Our right wing made considerable progress on the steep slopes of Monto Santo. Fierce counter-attacks by the enemy were repulsed. Wo conquered, eastward of Gorizla, strongly-fortified heights northward of TiToli. Insistent counter-attacks on tills sector were beaten oil'.. We took prisoner 3375 of the enemy, a mountain battery, and much war material.''—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Keuter. GREAT INTEREST IN LONDON London, May IG. ■ There is great interest in the Italian offensive. The (Mines _ are advancing sixty miles from-Tolmino seaward. The sector Tolmino-Sargano is a most difficult front. The Tolmino bridgehead bars the entrance to the valley leading to Laibach.