A Great Advance

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1917, Page 1

A Great Advance

Decided Succe.s , [REUTER’S SERVICE —COPVRIGHT.J LONDON, May 25 Percival Gibbon telegraphing on tha 24tli. states that yesterday was the anniversary of Italy’s entry into the wa:. 'the third army initiated the new year’s fighting by an advance over the horrible stone wastes of the Carsc. The immediate objective was a sharp Austrian stalientt from C’astajnevizr . through the hamlet of Huddil..' across the stony hills to the sei. The enemy lines were built into stoi: s trenches quarried out of the so’nl rock Even the barbe l w rj was neld up •' iron standards cemented into the ston.. For ten hours a red-hot hail-storm of shells of every calibre remor-.less 7 - kneaded at the Austrian line . The Italian infantry’s charge came at four o’clock. The Austrian immediately replied with a shrapnel barrage. It, might have been confetti for all the effect it had upon the chargers. The dustcabcd men in the gas masks and steel casques dashed at the enemy trenches. In the shattered milage of Lukatino there was not an Austrian survivor. Afterwards' the Italians rushed with bavonets into the village of Jamiano, which was a system of vast .subterran--shelters where the garrison was packed like sardines during, the bombardment. ' - Here tlie Austrians) surrendered in masses. Two thousand were taken in the first nush. Before morning the commanders like prisoners 'in cages, were wildly telegraphing for assistance. Nine thousand prisoners have already been counted many of whom had just arrived'from the Russian front.

Still Susces&fui. 22Q00 Prisoners. WELLINGTON, May 27. The High Commissioner reports from London May 26th. at 6.25. p.m.: . Rome, official:— On the Carso plateau heavy fighting still continues. Another strong position has been captured and 3500 prisoners and much war material captured. A network of trenches extending irom the mouth of the Tamavo to eastward of Jamians and also the heights ac Flondar and Medeazza have been taken northwards. , After severe hand to hand fighting the enemy’s defences and Labryinth eastwards of Boscomale were broken and a hill and trenches round Castaganvizza taken. . ", Nortliwrds of Tavoli our positions Were extended. At Vodice air enemy attempt to dislodge us from the important hill 652 failed and is firmly ours. , : > ■ After violent -artillerying dense mass es repeated the stubborn attacks but were driven hack time and time again with heavy loss and over 300 prisoners. iAt Plava we made further progress towards Rogat Valley and Julip. The total prisoners from May 14th. up to yesterday is 22417. >• •

British Assistance. ROME, May 25. Semi-official. With the object of assisting the offensive on the Carso Plateau, British, monitors with naval fore.s and Italian aeroplanes made an effective attack from the Gulf of Venice on the rear of the enemy’s lines, and especially on the great air station depots and other important miliary objects near Prosecco. Austrians Surprised. Italian Air Service. " LONDON, May 26. Reuter’s correspondent learns officially that no less than ten Austrian divisions, comprising 100 battalons, \vei« concentrated between the sea and Boscomalo, the scene of tlie great offensive. The success of the attack is attributed to surprise. The Austrians expected long artillery preparation, but tne Italians advanced after only a ten hours’ bombardment. The heaviest attacks were on a front of eight kilometres, and the greatest advance of two kilometres. The part played by the air service constitutes a record. The Italian air fleet- engaged consisted of 140 units. ~ .

Still Ragitig. } ROME, May 26. Italian official:—The battle is still raging from the sea to Plava. Our troops fought their way through a labryinth of fortifications which were stubbornly defended by strong weittrained forces . Tlie total taken prisoner or Wednesday and Thursday were 10245, including 316 officers. We drove the enemy to a line soutnward of Jamiano and extended our pos itions from northward of Jamiano to the outskirts of Versic. Violent counter-attacks at southern Carso and in the Monte Cucco and Vodice area failed with heavy losses. Our air craft effectively bombed a station at Santa Nuilca of Tblmmo. Three enemy machines were brought down.

in China. PEKIN, May 25. Premier Tuan Chi Yui has refused to accept the President’s command to resign and has gone to Tientsin. There is some fear that a coup de main will be attempted by a number, of provincial governors who • are assembled at Pekin, hoping to browbeat Parliament, which is willing to declare war, but hesitated hitherto, knowing the large financial benefits which th# Allies promised in the event of China would enormously increase Tuan Chi Yui’s power. Tho Premier would have used . his military power earlier, but feared to provokes a rebellion in the south, if he removed the President or coerced Parliament* - ' ,-j ajjjgj