ITALIAN SUCCESS AT MONTE DI VAL BELLA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 5

ITALIAN SUCCESS AT MONTE DI VAL BELLA

FIERCE STRUGGLE FOR THE POSITION

MANY PRISONERS AND MUCH BOOTY

By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright. (Rec. July 1, 7.20 p.m.) London, June 30. An Italian official report states: "Supported by (he Allies, we captured Monte di Val Bella on .Tune !!!), after a bitter struggle. Large masses of the enemy counter-attacked. but wero repulsed, tboir infantry being decimated by our artillery and aeroplanes. Tho position was held, and wo took prisoner 21 officers and 788 men, belonging to four divisions. AVe also captured cannon, trench mortars, and maehihe-guns. Wo captured a fortiticd post 011 the southern slopes of Sasso Rosso."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Ecutcr.

THE AUSTRIAN VERSION.

(Rec. July 1, 7.20 p.m.)

~'i _ London, Jimo 30. A wireless Auskinn official ipport claims I hat lite Italian attacks on Monte di Val Bella were completely repulsed."—Aus.N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Reuter.

THE ENEMY'S LOSSES ON THE PIAVE

SERIOUS ADMISSION BY THE HUNGARIAN PREMIER

Amsterdam, June 30.

Tho Hungarian Premier (Count Wekerle), in a speech in fhe Lover Jlouso cf Parliament, said: ''In tho retreat from tho Piavo 12,000 prisoners fell into Italian hands. Much sadder was tho loss suffered in dead, wounded, and sick. Our losses were about a hundred thousand." Kegardin;} the rumours that Hungarian troops woild again bo called upon in excessively large numbers, so (hat the losses would fall on them, lie pointed ou,t that 33 Huiig.iri.in and 37 Austrian regiments took part in the advance and the retreat. Tho Italians lost a hundred and fifty thousand. 'Humours have been, circulated," lie. said, "that our losses were caused by tho lack of ammunition; but our Army was never so well provided with ammuinition. Three bridges across the Piavo were carried away, and thus insurmountable difficulties arose in transporting ammunition and provisions. The retreat was carried out according (o plan. .In spilo of these regrettable events, wo undoubtedly inflicted important losses upon the Italians. They wero prevented from sending troops to tho Western frcnt, which, in tho common interests of the war, was without doubt the objective, which it is also our duty to attain, and which we did attain."—Beutar.

AN AMENDED STATEMENT FROM VIENNA,

Amsterdam, June 30. An official telegram from Vienna seeks lo minimise the Premier's statement about the losses, and explains that Count Wckerle's iigures wero wrong owing to a telephonic error. The losses wore less than in the Isonzo battles, which amounted to from 80,000 to 100,000. Moreover, they covered the whole period from June 15 to 20, and included eick.-Rcutetr.

HUNGARIANS INFECTED WITH BOLSHEVISM. Paris, .Tune 30. The "Matin" states that Hungarian troops who recently arrived from Russia are infected with Bolshevism, and mutinied in the garrisons of Pes and Gyoer. Two hundred officers were sentenced to death. Tlu mutinous spirit is largely extending in the Ai'iny.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

NO SIGN OF THE GERMAN OFFIpiVE % SUCCESSFUL LOCAL ATTACKS BY THE ALLIES

A BIG DAY WITH THE AIRMEN

London, Jimid 30.

Sir Douglas Haig reports: "After sharp fighting, wo repulsed an attack on n British post ill. the neighbourhood of Merris. There was considerable hostile artillery fire against cur new positions east of the Nioppe Forost/und also cn tlie Albert sector, and north ot tho Pcarpe and near Feslubert.'-Aus.-Iv.Z. Cable Assn.-Kcutor. (Rec. July 1, 8.30 p.m.) London, June 30. Sir Douglas Haig reports:—"We tdok a few prisoners in a successful daylight raid eastward of Robeccj."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Router.

SUCCESSFUL RAIDS BY THE FRENCH

(Rcc. July 1, 7.10 p.m.)

London, June 30. A French official communique issued this evening states: "Wo made various raids, notably west of Ilangard ami south of Antrenches. In local operations south' of the Ourec] we captured- last night a crest between Nosloy and Pnssieu Valois, advancing eight hundred yards on a front of three kilomotres (about 2 miles).' We look 275 prisoners."—Aus.-NX Cable Asss.-Rcmer.

THE GERMAN REPORT

(Rcc. July 1, B.DO p.m.)

London, June 30. A wireless Gorman official report states:—"Thoro was increased artillery' activity all doj long north of tlio Lye and south of tho Aisne. 'l'ho firing was revived at night time on tho remainder of the front between tho Ysar and tho Marno. Wo captured prisoners during strong enemy thrusts 60uth of tho Outcci,"—Aus.-N.Z. CaWo Aesn.-Eeutcr.