ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1917, Page 2

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

THE FIGHT FOR HERMADA

A GREAT STRUGGLE.

(Received this day at 12.30 a.m.)

ROME, Aug 25. Tho fighting fit Hermada was o£ th« fiercest. ... e

Thousands of projectiles ar* splintering the rocks and shattering the Caverns. Hundreds of aeroplanes are dropping bombs. Twenty thousand Austrians have been waterless and foodless for five days in the rocky inferno. BREAKING THE DEFENCE, A STUBBORN (Received this dav at 12.30 a.m.) ROME, Aug. 25. Italian official.—The second Army broke the enemy defence at several points. Tho Austrians are defending every yard of the retreat, over difficult ground. The Italians are closely pursiung, the airmen flying low in Chiapovane Valley, which is crowded with troops, and th© infantry ar©. being repeatedly bombed.

FIRST LINE BROKEN.

CHANGE OF COMMAND

ROME, Aug. 24. The entire Austrian first line defences and in places some of the second and third lines were broken. Night fighting is occurring in many sectors under powerful searchlights The prisoners’ . condition testifies to the Austrians inferior equipment. Many are half famished. General Conrad has assumed command on the Carso. General Wurm has been wounded or recalled- The Austrians have brought up fresh, divisions, including large numbers of sailors. - ( CARSO RESISTANCE. ROME,\Aug. 24. The Austrian resistance on the Carso is stubborn on the whole front. The Carso sector, which is enormously valuable to the enemy, is held by the best troops, who are fighting with great bravery, but aro losing ground despite counter-attacks. . ~

AUSTRIAN LOSSES.

ROME, A9ug. 24.

is estimated that 65,000 Austrians were put out of action during the first four days of the offensive. Th* Austri- ! ana assert that the Italian* have 9000 1 guns on a 90 kilometre front. HERMADA ISOLATED. ROME, Ang. 24. Hermada » being attacked from all sidea. and is isolated. There continues to poor in fire from "600 cannon ana thousands of machine guns. The Austrians recognise that its fall will probably cause the the collapse of the entire front.