AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 230, 17 June 1918, Page 5

AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE BEGINS

HEAVY ATTACK IN ASIAGO REGION ENEMY'S FIRST VENTURE UNFORTUNATE . (Rcc, r jJune 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, June. 15. The Austrian offensive has begun with a heavy attack in the Asiago l'latcau region. The Italians aro resisting piaguiticently.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ;Hec. June IG, 5.5 p.m.) London, June 14. An Italian official report; states: "Early on the morning of June 13, after intense artillery preparation, the enemy attempted to foreo the defences of tho Tonalo Pass, launching an imantry attack ou tho summit of Cady and tho Monticello ridge, immediately north and south of an important load. Our firm resistance broke tlio enemy's impetus ou our advanced lines. Later our coun-ter-attack and deadly artillery concentration stopped tli6 enemy ami definitely drovo him back. "At ni'ght-liuio our barrage of iiro promptly crushed a renewed attack jiuiMUward or the road, Tlio enemyV losses, particulaily to his supports at tho rear, were very heavy. We took 131) prisoners, belonging to four diifcrent regiments."—-Aus.-N.lj. Cabie Assn.-Keuter. (Rec. Juno IG, 11.35 p.m.) London, June 15, 6.50 p.m. An Italian official reports states: "There is intensified artillery firing from tho LagiU'ina Valley to tho sea, and extremely violent artiliery firing to the eastward of the Brenta and tho the Middle I'iavo. British aeroplanes on tho morning of June 13 dropped several tons of explosives on (Jatturo, and although heavily attacked by the enemy's aircraft and also attacked by tho enemy's chasers, returned undamaged. Tho King of Italy recoived tho Czech Slovak corps, which is now in readiness to fiffht for Italy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Beuter. ' - THE ENEMY'S OBJECT. (Hoc. Juno IG. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 15. An Italian semi-official report states: "A number of prisoners illuminate the iinportanco of Iho enemy's defeat yesterday. The object wns to break through into the Caiuajoa Valley, the lirsl day's objectivo boing tho I'outo do Ligne, and the greatest precautions were taken to eft'ed, a surprise. The enemy's infantry was conveyed to the lino at the last moment in motor lorries. An entire division was (lung into action in accordance with the latest German assault tactics against the slopes of Cady and the summit. The storming parties were nearly j I'vt rvivhere ernshed under the hail of shrapnel. ' Tho enemy gained a footing ; i'i only three advanced and isolated Italian posts, from which they wore driven cut by our coontoMttaoks."—Eoutor.'

NIPPED IN THE BUD .0 I AUSTRIAN NAVAL SCHEME THAT FAILED. j (Rec. June 16, 5.5 p.m.) j Rome, June 1-i. j Admiral Bravctt-a states that when the Szent Istvan was torpedoed tho Aus- j trian squadron intended to reach Cattaro, believing that tho Germans subse- i quently would dash out with tho Russian Black Sea ships, to junction with tho Austrians at Cattaro for an attack on the Allied Mediterranean fleets, while ; tho German High Sea Fleet would risk a derisive battlo in. tho North Sea.— j Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. > THE OTHER DREADNOUGHT. j (Rec. .Tune 10, 5.5 p.m.) ' j Rome, June 14. | Tho "Mc-sagero" learns (hat one of tho Austrian Dreadnoughts which was i sunk, with eighty of the crew, was the TegcUhoff.-Ans.-N,!!; Cable Assn. i [Tho Austrian Dreadnought Tegetthoff is a sister ship to the hzent Istvan, . which lias previously been referred to —20,000 tons, which cost) 2i millions.] i