ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1917, Page 3

ITALIAN OFFENSIVE

[per press association: — corxuicirr.j CAPTURE OF MONTE SANTO. > A GRE.VTJVICTORY:

■ S ' /-Received this day at. 1.20 a.m.,) ROME, August 2/. The capture of Monte Santo , is nailed as a great victory. • : The Austrians are dofending th« ,-ositions \vith the greatest tenacity. . Italians assaulted with threo columns, the first from Vodicc, the second a frontal attack from Isonzo, 'and tne third from Doll. <,> The Italian flag was cut into three pieces by the leader, and each column was given a third. ,When the victorious columns met at the summit, the threo pieces were rejoined and hoisted over the convent top. The Austrians are continually putting in shock troops to assist in counterattacks, and are rushing reserves from all the fronts. ' VICTORY IMMINENT.

ROME, Aug. 27

The war correspondents state that a victory on a' sensational scale is imminent. The capture of Monte Santo has terminated the Austrian bombardment of Gorizia which lasted a year.

IMPORTANT OPERATIONS

ITALIAN SUCCESS,

(Received This Dev at 12.25. n.»>- » LONDON, Aug. 27.

.Italy’s capture of ' Monte Santo has given the Italians access to Vippaco Valley. Nevertheless, the entire possession of the latter as requisite to the seizure of Trieste, hut before conqueroring Vippaco Valley, they must capture Ternowa Wood, which flanks it on the north. This will give command of Calbail Plain, and also enable them to turn Carso. The difficulties of the ground in Teraova district are considerable, possibly enabling the Austrians to prolong the resistance. The fact that Germany regarded the Isonzo as an insurmountable barrier for the Italians explains their withholding assistance from the Austrians.