AUSTRIAN STAFF GERMANISED

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 246, 5 July 1918, Page 5

AUSTRIAN STAFF GERMANISED

DRASTIC OVERHAUL FOLLOWS RECENT DEFEATS HUNGARIAN STRIKES BLAMED FOR PIAVE DISASTERS Zurich, July 3. . A. telegram from Vienna report* sweeping changes in I In: A nstviau com- , mands, owing to tho defeat in (Inly. Fiwl-Al.irs'hal. von Koovws replaces Field- 1 Marshal Conrad von HoelmmdorlT, the lain <Viinrun-n-lor-iu-(Jhiol'; General . -Ivrmihs, who was Prince Kugeno's Chief of Stuff; beeointK Chief of the. General s Stall', replacing General von Arz. 'I'ho German General von J.ielow is given su- * promo command of the Italian front.. Telegrams state tliat military circles in Vienna atlribulo the chief blame, for Ihe i'iiive defr.nl. lo Iho Hungarian strike, which crippled tlio output of munition*. When Iho attack began it was found that thore. were only soven days' supplies,of ammunition oil Land. 'J'lio offensive was also hurried because the politicians hoped that success would relievo tlio political sit-iafion.—Aus,- , N.Z. Coblo Assn. ; SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL THRUSTS ITALIANS CAPTURE MORE PRISONERS AND BOOTY. ! (Kec. July I, 7.45 p.m.) London, July t. An Italian official report states: "On July 2 we conducted :i series of thrusts on the Lower Piave against obstinato resistance, over partially flooded country, and gained ground, taking 1900 prisoners and many machine-guns and trench mortars. AA'o repulsed a counter-attack north-west of jAlonle Gnappa, where we look prisoner 25 ofllcers and £96 men, many ma-chine-guns and much material. . i'rcncli parties mado a successful coup <le main iu tlio Zocclii region, on (lie Asiago Plateau."—Aus.-N.Z. Coble Asmi .-Renter. TACTICAL OBJECTS OF THE PIAVE ATTACK. (Roe.' July 4, 11 p.m.) . London, July 3. ■ The Italian operation? on the Lower J'iavo were aimed at clearing out the 1 enemy by a concentric advance from tho west, south, and cast. Already an ;ulvajico of between 2000 and 3500 yards had cleared two-thirds of tlio wholo area bv Tuesday morning. 'Heavy lighting is going on. One of ilio objects of the push is lo shorten and straighten the line and havo a considerable number of troops, possibly a whole division for reserve. Incidentally it removes Venice a further three miles out of effective gun range.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. BRILLIANT MOUNTAIN OPERATIONS London, July 3. Mr.' Jeffries writes on the capture of Col di Bos-so and Monte di Vo.l Iiella: "The great operations were earned out with brilliant dash. The defeated divisions included Emperor Karl's fivourito -Idelwoiss troops under General Scheuchenst.wel, tho n-ost trusted Austrian commander. Tlio .Austrian losses greatly exceeded 1500. As reported on the Ist, two fresh regiments entered tho fight in tho morning. By tho evening neither existed—all had l»en killed or captured. The Czechs fought with fieroa courage. Charging desperate'}-, they flung tho enemy, with his cuiis, downtlie inountain side. The Austrian defeatwas largely duo to the failure to maintain communications, which resulted in , confusion.'" Mr. AVard Price says: "Tho Italian losses were small beyond all expectations. All the crack Austrian divisions will badly need ropairs."—"The Times." AUSTRIAN OFFICIAL REPORT (Eec. July 4, 7.15 p.m.) London, July 4. An Austrian official report states: "Thoro was .bitter all-day fighting at tho mouth of the Piave. The enemy nowhere was successful, except for a slight gain of territory near Chiessanoita. The enemy, made nn attempt to land near Revedolin, supported by naval forces, but the attack broke down."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assii.-K'euter. BOMBING RAID ON AUSTRIAN NAVAL BASE. , (Rcc. July 4, 7.45 p.m.) \ London, July 4. An official report by tho Admiralty states that British aeroplanes heavily bombed the enemy's naval base at Cat faro. Olio ship was set oil fire and a submarine was struck."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter,