ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1918, Page 5

ITALY.

STRONG ENEMY ATTACKS. ArmiPT TO t'ORCE DEFENCES. AUSTRIANS DRIVE!) BACK. Received June 16, 5.5 p.ra, London, June 14. Official: Early on the morning of June 15, after intense artillery preparation, the enemy attempted to force the defences of the Tonale Pass by launching an infantry attack on the Cady summit and the Monticelle ridge, immediately north and south of an important road, Our firm resistance broke the enemy's impetus on the advanced lines. Lp,ter our counter-attack and deadly artillery concentration stopped the enemy, and definitely drove him back. At night time our barrage promptly crushed a renewed attack northward of the road. The enemy's losses, particularly to liis supports at the rear, were very heavy. We took prisoner 130 belonging to four regions—A. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. VIOLENT ARTIILERYING. BRITISH AVIATORS ACTIVE. Received June IG, 11.55 p.m. London, June 15 (6.30 p.m.). Italian official: There is intensified artillerying from the Lagarina valley to the sea, and extremely violent artillerying to the eastward of the Brenta and the middle of the (Piavc. British aeroplanes on the morning of the 15th dropped 1100 kilogrammes of explosives on Cattaro, although heavily attacked toy aircraft. They were also attacked by enemy chasers, but returned undamaged. The King of Italy has reviewed the Czech-Slovak corps, which is now in readiness to fight for Italy.—Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. IMPORTANT ENEMY DEFEAT. * OPERATIONS DESCRIBED.

Received June 16, 5.5 p.m. London, June 15. Italian semi-official: The number of prisoners illuminate the importance of the enemy defeat yesterday. His object was to break through into the Camajca valley, the first day's objective being Bonte do Ligne, and the greatest precautions were taken to effect a surprise. The infantry was conveyed to the line at the last moment in motor lorries, and an , entire division was flung into action, according to the latest German assaulting tactics. Against the slopes of Cady summit the storming parties were nearly everywhere crushed under a hail of shrapnel, and the enemy gained a footing only on three advanced isolated Italian posts, from which they were driven out by counterattacks.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. AUSTRIAN OFFENSIVE BEGUN. Received June IG, 11.5 p.m. London, June 15- , The Austrian offensive has begun by . a heavy attack at Asiago. The Italians l are resisting magnificently.—Press Assoc.