THE ITALIANS’ GREAT SUCCESS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 152, 30 June 1916, Page 5

THE ITALIANS’ GREAT SUCCESS.

AUSTRIANS ANRBOWLY ESCAPE COMPLETE DEFEAT. Received 10-30 p.m., June 29. ROME, June 29. The Austrians during two days lost half the territory won by forty-five ■days’ bloody fighting, involving 13 0,000 Austrian casualties. The Austrians had succeeded in penetrating all the valleys north of the Asiago tableland, and occupied dominating peaks, including the Portule ridge, 700 0 feet above Vardassa. General Cadorna j by magnificent strategy and unflagging energy, prepared a trap whence the Austrians only just escaped in time. Pour or five days’ delay would have meant the cutting oil of all the forces operating in the Asiago sector. The Alpini commenced the offensive on June 15th. Further attacks followed until the 27th, when the Italians attacked on the entire front. Meanwhile they held all the enemy first line approaches under heavy fire, and prevented the bringing up of reserves. The Austrians’ second and eighth mountain brigades and the 22nd Landweer division, were almost annihilated. Henceforth retreat was inevitable. During Sunday contact with the enemy was lost at many points, so great was the Austrian haste to get away. , Signor in a statement in the Chamber, emphasised the close ■nßdarity of the Allies, and the cool dination of military operations. The statement has had an excellent . :;opf :n throughout the country.