ITALY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1918, Page 5

ITALY.

FURTHER ITALIAN SUCCESS.

ENEMY MASSES MOWN DOWN.

Received July 2, 11.40 p.m. Rome, July 1

Italian official: We attacked on Sun» day and captured Col del Rosso, also, after a bitter all-day struggle, we captured Col del Hele. The enemy's two attacks against Monte Valbdlla were completely arrested. Enemy masses were mown down by artillery fire. The enemy's losses on June 29 and 30 were exceptionally heavy. Eighty-eight officers and 1925 men were made prisoners. Our losses were very light. We repulsed at-: tacks in the Zugna region. Wireless Austrian official: We withdrew from Col del Rosso and Monte Valbella to our former position in tie Stenfle Wood.-—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association and ReuteT.

ITALIANS BACK TO OLD POSITIONS.

DEADLY FRENCH ARTILLERY. Received July 2, 11.40 p.m. London, July 1. The news from the Italian front continues most satisfactory. The Italians have completely established themselves on the line lost on June 15. The attack on Monte Valbello, from which the Auatrians have been threatening the Piave flank, was completed within three hours on Saturday morning. It is reported that the Austrian losses here were heavier than in all the preceding battles. The French artillery co-operated and effected fearful execution, wiping out whole battalions.—Press Association.

FURTHER - SUCCESSES. London, July 1. A British-Italian official report says: The situation is quiet. We carried out two raids, inflicting many casualties. We destroyed seven aeroplanes. —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

Washington, July 1. The Italians at Upper Asiago captured 1600 Austrians.

CORRECTION OF LOSS TOTALS.

Rome, July 1.

A semi-official reply to Dr. Werkerle's speech declares that the latter constitutes an official admission of the immense gravity of the Austrian disaster. Dr. Werkerlc tries to soothe public opinion 1) v doubling the Italian and halving the Austrian losses. Dr. Wcrkerle asserted that only 70 regiments, otherwise 200,000 men, participated in the battle, therefore the Austro-Hnn-garian losses on 'his showing were 40 per cent., but Austrian prisoners agreed in stating that 42 divisions, otherwise 460,000 men, were engaged, therefore Dr. Werkerle's proportions corrected show that the Austro-Hungarian losses •were 200,000. Moreover, we took 9000, not 12,000 prisoners.—Router.