CABORNA'S CONFIDENCE

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 June 1917, Page 6

CABORNA'S CONFIDENCE

many hard knocks to GIVE difficulties of campaign LOXDOX, Mar 28. Describing tiro operations on the Carso and Isonzo front, Mr. Keith Mnr dock representative of the nr Cable service, save the Valley of Gorz divides the great battlefield mto ragged, mountainous sectors, each about ten miles long. In each sector, are weeks, which the Italians are gradually outflanking and capturing. This process, when complete, will compel the Austrians to evacuate the valley, and bring General Cadorna a considerable step nearer to Trieste. These mountainous parts are more like the tough left flank of the Australian position at Gallipoli than any European battlefield.

It has been remarkable to see the Italian infantry—little black dots like ants cn a mound —scaling a hill, or gathering under shell fire for the attack During these moments the Austrian gun nors have poured all available shrapnel upon the attackers, and throughout the offensive have maintained shell-fire on the back lines, using many naval guns and heavy howitzers. But compared with the British and French fronts the Austrian artillery fire this week’end was lighter, indicating a withdrawal of many guns. In these regions the shells burst 'with a wide and shattering effect, and frequently, even on the Carso, dislodge rocks, which tumble to the bottom of the gorges. At his simple headquarters to-day Count Cadorna received me. He expressed his pleasure at meeting an Aus tralian for the first time on the Italian front. When I referred to his newest triumph he said delightedly that he had many hard knocks to give yet. This expressed the spirit of the man. He is an aggressive, strong fighter, wdry and alert —a smiling little man, with lightning speed of thought and decision and action.

There will be long and hard fighting before Trieste falls, but I have not seen any soldiers more confident, brighter, happier, or fresher than the Italians. General Cadorna has the Austrians won dering where the next blow will fall, for his offensive armies are well scattered. I went to-day to the outer Carso, and saw evidence of the desperate nature of the fighting. The losses on botn sides were numerous, but owing to the machine-gun fire and injuries caused by rode splinters there is an extraordinarily high percentage of slightly wounded there. I found in hospitals and prison encampments ample proof that General Cadorna exacted from the Austrians a heavier* price than he paid