Italy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 74, 30 June 1916, Page 5

Italy

THE AUSTRIAN RETREAT.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM ANNIHILATION.

Onttho Pucw Association. Rome, June 29. The Austrians in two days lost half of tho Territory won in forty-five days. There was 'bloody fighting, involving 130,000 Austrian casualties. The Austrians had succeeded in penetrating all the valleys north of the Asiago tableland and occupied dominating peaks, including the Portude ridge, seven thousand feet, above Vardassa. General Cadorna, the Italian com-mander-in-chief, by magnificent strategy and unflagging energy prepared a trap whence the Austrians only just escaped in time. Four or five days’ delay would have meant cutting off all the forces operating in the Asiago sector.

The Alpini commenced the offensive on June 15. Further attacks followed until the 27th, when the Italians attacked on the entire • front. Meanwhile they held nil enemy first-line approaches under heavy fire and prevented their bringing up reserves. The Austrians’ 2nd and Bth Mountain Brigades and the 22nd Landwehr v division were almost annihilated. Henceforth, a retreat was inevitable. .. /

During Sunday contact was lost with the enemy at many points, so great was the Austrians’ baSte to get away. Signor Doselli, in a statement in the Chamber, emphasised the close solidarity of the Allies and the co-drdin-ation of military operations. The statement has had an excellent reception throughout the country.

ITALIANS CONTINUE ADVANCE.

PURSUING THE ENEMY IN THE MOUNTAINS. The High Commissioner reports;— London, June 29 (6.25 p.m.) An Italian report says: Between the Adige and the Brenta, the Italians yesterday continued’ to advance notwithstanding’ the stance of the enemy as'they reached their previously-prepared positions. At Vallarea, pip,, alpine f Aifopns ato|me(L Fort Mattasspnel a ■the’* infantry carrying the ridge of Mount Trepolsl. Along .the Posina linp,. the, advance has .been delayed by the nature of the ground and the fire of heavy batteries from Horcola, but we chased the enbmy from the rocks and reached Griso, carrying the strong position of Botta, on Mount Majo,