ITALY’S CAMPAIGN

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17279, 21 September 1916, Page 7

ITALY’S CAMPAIGN

the isonzo front. FIERCE ITALIAN OFFENSIVE. TERRIFIC ARTILLERY FIRE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Aasociation. (Received September 20, 5.20 p.m.) ROME, September 19. Tho Italian offensive on tlie isozzzo front is proceeding steadily. During

the first phase of the fight from September 13 to 16, the Austrians lost twothirds of their front line. There were bloodiest encounters on the second and third days, when the enemy’s reserves arrived. The Fifth Austrian Army Corps, which was countering the Italians’ right flank sustained enormous losses. General Cadorna postponed the offensive for eight days owing to heavy rains. The bombardment was so tremendous that the Austrians’ trenches' 1 were reduced to mounds of pulverised ruins, mingled with arms and legs.Tho attackers frequently found the Austrian trenches full of Dig unexploded shells. Austrian fifteen inchers are now frantically endeavouring to destroy Gorizia and Monfalconc. The Italian heavy batteries are demolishing vast caverns in the heights behind Gorizia and Trieste, where the Austrian fifteen / s inchers aro sheltering. RAIDS ON VENICE. THE POPE’S SYMPATHY. (Received September, 20, 5.20 p.m.) ROME, September 19. The Pope has written to the Patriarch of Venice deploring tho Austrian air raids.