ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1917, Page 2

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

ITALLANS GREAT EFFORT,

AUSTRIAN DEFENCES STRONG

rAUSTRALIAN tC N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON Aug. 21 L The “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent on the Italian front states that tho Italians on crossing the Isonzo found that the Austrians were in strength and their organisation of the ground was technically perfect, being sown with machine-guns in dozens. At the points of attack the problem was ono of groat difficulty, the machineguns playing like hoses across the front of the advancing Italians, until late in the afternoon. Big trench mortars accounted for a proportion, hut the rest had to bo rushed and bombed to silence. A German-speaking Austrian was among the first prisoners, who were utterly wearied and prostrate after the thirty hours’ tornado of shells and the final convulsion of the battle when the Italians stormed uphill, the bombers leaving their bayonets and following with the greatest dash. They gave, ‘‘ltaly’s reply to the latest peace proposals. The offensive is developing on a front of 100 kilometres. There is every prospect of the capture of Monte Santo, and Hermada Hill, paving the way to Trieste.

ENORMOUS AUSTRIAN LOSSES. ■ / (United Service Telegrams.) (Reoeived this day at 12.30 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, Auguse 22. The Daily Mail states that on the Italian front the Austrian losses are already 30,000. MONITORS ASSISTING. IN ISONZO ATTACK. (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) Rome, Aug. 22. British and Italian monitors are cooperating with the Army. They effectively bombarded enemy positions on the lower Isonzo. Simultaneously Italian airmen bombed the -dock yards at Trieste. Subsequently they were unsuccessfully attacked by hostile aircraft, one being downed. ; ; > THE ISONZO STRUGGLE. STILL RAGING. (United Service Telegrams:) (Reoeived This Day at 9.30. a.m.) . .. ... .LONDON, Aug. 22. The “Daily Mail’s” correspondent says'the Isonzo battle rages with unprecedented violence. It is expecteu do last longer than any preceding fight. There have been many thrilling spectacular feats. ;,-3 A notable espisode was the passage of the Isonzo, near Anhovo. Here the river is unfordahle, being between precipitous banks, and is • two thousaim feet -wide, resembling a moat, with gigantic fortresses. The Italians crossed the river on pontoons and then threw barges across and occupied the east bank, and immediately scaled the site mountain, while under a terrific artillery fire. There was another terrible struggle for important positions at Sel° Brestwijzza, whioh is now firmly held, anHU may prove the key to Hermada. AUSTRIAN REPORT. ON ITALIAN OPERATIONS. (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) ;; LONDON, Aug. 22. To-day’s Austrian communique states that south of Auzza, the enemy slightly drove in our troops. We maintain-' ed the positions until they were completely surrounded and then cut our way, out, between Dersela imd Wiffaoyh. Attacks failed on Barro. The enemy lost thousands. We captured the ruined village w Selo. In two days’ fighting we captured 3.600 prisoners, and fifty machine guns.