Italy

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 84, 6 November 1916, Page 5

Italy

THE CARSO OFFENSIVE.

'b9i.:-. 'SPLENDID ITALIAN PROGRESS.

VALUABLE CAPTURES.

10,000 PRISONERS IN TWO DAYS. .Press Association—Copyright, Ausfa Han and N.Z. Cable Association. London , November 4.

! An Italian semi-official message ro- | ports:—The advance in the Northern Carso was ; vigorously pressed, particularly on November 2. A ridge commanding the Castaghirizz;a Road, the principal artery of communications for the Italians from Vallonne, was sealed, also the rpcky ten aces to the eastwards! r We "drove the enemy beyond the"'hills to the southwards. We a depth of three and a half mil§s,'> reaching the third Austrian capturing valuable observatioii J: ]3dsts. Two days' fighting resulted s£h ! the considerable extension and consolidation of the-Italian positions. The occupation of Car so, and the fact that a brigadier and other high officers were among the prisoners taken on November 2, show the depth penetrated by the Italians. The capture of 10,000 prisoners in two days proves the great Success of the Italians' effort to draw off tho ':. pressure on Roumania. The Austrians attacked with 100 battalions ore the Austrian Landwehr troops. Several battalions were completely destroyed. The Austrian defences consisted of three lines, and a fourth-'in process of construction. The Italian artillery swept away tlio first line in a few hours. The second was considered impregnable, but was quickly taken by assault. The third is' now being attacked. If promptly captured, the Austrians will be forced to a general retreat. They are already withdrawing their big guns. Following formidable artillery preparations; the Italian infantry avi pressing on the Dvino, an important railroad junction, which is already :> subjected to terrific bombardment. This prevents it being used for forwarding reinforcements to the vari- '. ous sectors. The Italian gunnery is strikingly effective. One single shell in one Bmall valley annihilated an Austrian company by blowing up the ammuni-

lion store. There was most terrific fighting on Veliki'Hill, which w#s crowded with the heaviest Austrian artillery. The lightning rapidity of the Italian advance astonished the Austrian*, who fled without even removing then-breech-blocks. The Italians immediately trained their guns on tho fleeing Austrians, with great effect. The Italians charged at Vertohizzi ' waist-high in the water, using tliei.' bayonets as daggers, and clubbing th? Austens with their rifle-butts. "* £ jfflTltalian airship bombed the enemy works and warships at Sebemico, and caused great fires. FURTHER ITALIAN PROCRESS. The High Commissioner reports:— London, November 4 (5.55 p.m.) An Italian official report states:— [■ln the Travignolo Valley wo assaultIs'ed and parried a so-called observatory [ on the South slopes of Cimaboceho t and consolidated the positions. In the Carso offensive, further position , were stormed and captured yesterday, , including a battery of four-im-b howitzers, machine-guns, gun an:I munition, transport column, and Huantitiea of material.

London, November 5. Ani (Austrian communique asserts that .gigantic .Italian attacks were repulsed,! and 2000 Italians were "capture|4.ir..Jtii,admits the loss of two batteries.iat ir tbe Carso.

THE ITALIAN SUCCESS. AUSTRIANS DISORGANISED. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.5 a.m.) Rome, November 5. .La Tribuna states: Many of the Austrians who were taken prisoner were, dying from thirst, having been without water for three days, because all the services were disorganised. Austrian artillery shelled a column of Austrian prisoners and massacred many. Italian aeroplanes destroyed the railway station, at Nabresina, hitting several troop trains. Exthe line for some jsjptasW)oo OrH) 30 , :

VERITABLE AUSTRIAN DEBACLE REINFORCEMENTS WANTED. Press Association—Copyright, Austnilian and N. 7,. Cable Association. (Received 9.5 a.m.) Rome, November 5. A - wii-eless ' message states : The Austrian losses on first two days of the offensive were nine ( thousand prisoners, ten thousand killed, and 20,000 wounded. Vienna telegrams regard the position as a veritable debacle, General Bodevitch, who asked for reinforcements, having to withdraw three divisions. ' v ..._.. t CAPTURED IN THE DARKNESS. AUSTRIANS SURPRISED.

Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 9.50 a.m.) Rome, November 5. La Tribuna states that the Austrians in southern Carso lost contact with tho Austrians in northern

Carso. The enemy did not expect tho Italians to continue the attack in the night. Whole battalions were taken prisoner in the caves without a shot having been fired. An Austrian brigade staff under General Faithiris were also surrounded in the darkness and compelled to surrender.

SPLENDID DASH EXHIBITED. RESULT OF INCESSANT COMBAT MUCH COUNTRY, MANY PRISONERS. Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian Cable Association. ) (Received 9.50 a.m.) ' London, November 5. ' An Italian semi-official report states: Two days' incessant fighting in tho northern Carso did not exhaust the clashing spirit of the 11th Army, which advanced eastward bosides northward, pivoting on Mount, Fasts, which was the key to the enemy's defences, and then wheeled south-eastward, capturing strong defences, and eliminating the whole salient.

The whole advance covers a tract of over two miles deep and 3$ miles wide.

Nino thousand prisoners, including 259 officers, were taken.