ITALIAN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 May 1917, Page 5

ITALIAN FRONT.

AUSTRIAN COUNTER-OFFENSIVE

HUGE LOSSES SUSTAINED.

LONDON, May 22

The Exchange Telegraph's Rome correspondent says the Austrian counteroffensive in the Trentino yesterday increased in violence. All the infantry efforts failed. A determined attach was made during the afternoon after an intense bombardment. Douse columns of picked troops were repulsed with heavy losses, but they re-advanced after midnight and gained a temporary footing in advanced trenches, sustaining tremendous losses. The Austrian attack, which is one of the fiercest in the whole war, is aimed at seizing Pasubio to relieve the pressure on tho Isonzo, bur the pressure has abated. AUSTRIANS DESTROYING ' GORIZIA. •i- >: ' ■•<*■» •-'•' -LONDON, May 22. - | The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent writes: "Having lost the chief point d'appui on the" Isonzo, the Austrian establishedtheh%right wing on the heights of Fern ova forest, where they had repareci a new formidable line. The Austrians continue to destroy Gorizia, realising that they have lost hope of retaking the town. A NEW Ccr^MANDER. ROME, May 22. The Austrian command on the southwestern front fias, been transferred from the Archduke Eugene to Marshal M. Conrad.

FUTILE AUSTRIAN ATTACK. | '■■■■'-" REPULSED 'WITH LOSS The High Commissioner reports:— ' LONDON, May 23. Rome official report: In the Trivignolo Valley there was very severe fighting on Monday night. After a violent bombardment, destroying our position on the massif Piccolo and Colbricon, an enemy attacking force penetrated part of our supports. This led to violent fighting, lasting until yesterday afternoon, and resulted in the recapture of the whole position. One hundred dead were left on the field, and there is other considerable evidence of the enemy's heavy reverse..

ITALIANS REPULSE ATTACKS. ROME, May 22. An Italia* official report says: "We repulsed raids on Cavento Pass and Giumella Valley, and attacks on Mounts Dassalto and Zugna, Vie Posina Valley, the Asiago Plateau, and the Carnic Alps. Repeated enemy attempts eastward of Gorzi failed.