ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1918, Page 3

ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.

{per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.j A THRILLING INCIDENT. LONDON, Juno 19. Reuter’s correspondent at Italian headquarters states that one of the most anccessful features of the organisation of the Italian Army consists of the wise distribution of reserves. This is illustrated by a briliant feat in a British sector. The British defenders of the position were ordered to retire with a view of straightening a salient. A small detachment was left on the crest of n mountain, three thousand feet high in order to cover their withdrawal. The British were almost surrounded, and were out-numbered ten-fold, but they hold the enemy at bay. The commander of a detachment of Alpini de--eided on his own initiative* to rescue the Britishers. The question was whether the detachment would arrive in time to - find the defenders alive. The Commander said, “Men, we would be

too late, if any but British bulldogs were defending the position, and if any but Alpini and Chamois were rushing to reach them.” The Alpini dashed forward shouting “Viva Inghiltcrra,” " (Bravo England”) The Austrians were surprised and wavered. The Commander of the British detachment leapt from trench to trench and ordered a charge which forced the \ "Austrians to withdraw.

BRILLIANT DEFENCE. Received, this day at 8.45 a.m. LONDON, June 19. Router’s correspondent at the Italian headquarters gives details oFThe attack on the British right, which show the early morning mist helped the enemy, who advanced in great strength, carrying flammenwerfcr, after a heavy bomW bardmeht of the front line with gas and tli© second line with shrapnel. Our ma-chine-gunning stopped them dead on the left flank, but on the right the enemy r entered 150 yards of front trenches. The line was gallantly restored after noon by the Yorkshires. The officer commanding-an advanced post, after losing all his men, succeeded ■ in killing two machine-gun teams and captured the guns. He turned them upon the enemy. At one time the enemy penetrated the battalion headquarters on the right. The commanding officer collected the personnel, including the cook, and drove them out, prisonored twenty and captured machine guns and flammerwerfer.

DIRTY FIGHTERS. [LONDON TIMES SERVICE —COPYRIGHT] (Received This Dnv at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, June 20. Mr Ward Price states the Austrians «r are not fighting cleanly. They are freely using explosive bullets, making most ghastly wounds, are disguising soldiers in Italian uniforms and es. Numerous spies, disguised as peasants, were shot.

AUSTRIAN REPORT. CLAIMS SUCCESSES. | AUSTRALIAN it N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] (Received This Day at 9.50. a.m.) LONDON, June 19.

A wireless Austrian official report gays Von Boroevia’s southern wing in a steady advance, obtained a fresh advantage at Fossetta Canal, and crossed at some points. The Italians are staking everything to stop our advance. Prisoners are taken from numerous units. Most stubborn attacks, especially on both sides of Adelza nnd Treviso Valiev, broke down with heavy losses. Archduke Joseph’s division pierced several Italian lines near Sovilla at the soutern foot of Montello.

Our gains, between the plain of the Brenta and south-eastward of Asiago were again subjected to bitter assaults, but despite great sacrifices, the enemy were unable to obtain advantage anywhere. The Italians repeateuiy fruitlessly advanced on Dossoalto.

BATTLE IN MOUNTAINS. A GREAT STRUGGLE f ACBTRALIAN & N. 7.. CABLE ASSOCIATION Jb REUTER.]

(Received This T)av nt noon.) LONDON, June 19. A 7.55. p.m. Italian official report Bays at nightime on Monday and yesterday, the enemy had not renewed the attack from Asiago Plateau to Montello. We completely repulsed partial actions •v in Grappa-Montelle region. We carried ' out a thrust at Asiago Plateau, where Allied detachments captured stores and prisoners. Our unncoessaTy pressure shortened the front opened by the enemy southward of Mont Belluno railway. Deadly concentrations of artillery fire are not giving any trace of enemy masses on the battlefront, or moving in back areas.

After a quiet morning on the Piave 1 on the 18th, a battle broke out furiously in the afternoon. The enemy’s fresh attempt to croas to,the right bank from I Sanandrea to Candeller was repulsed on the embankment of the river between 1 Caudelu and Fossalto. Our strenuous de- I fence tried the enemy sorely and his inpettis was broken by our infantry’s un- I flhaken valour. Equally intense on the Vaster front, I the struggle raged at Fossalta sector, I southeastward of Mem solo and north- I ward of Capsolie. I The enemy were followed up by us; I cind defended themselves desperately. I Every yard was a theatre of epic strug- I gles. Italian and Allied aeroplanes were participating dropping fifteen thousand kilos of bombs and firing tens | of thousands of machine gun rounds. | The troops forced a narrow space on t the right bank. The battlo is continuing bitterly. The enemy in order to preserve their initial advantages gained, does not heed the immense losses which we havo been inflicting for five days. The captures include many guns, while fifty enemy aeroplanes were brought down. Only two Italian Allied machines havo not' returned.