Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-21
VICTORIOUS ITALIANS
ATTACK GORLZIA FROM
HILLS WON AT PLAYA
General Cadorna's Troops
Firmly Established on
East Bank of Isonzo
South of Tolmino-Suf-
fer Great Losses.

ROME June q.
Fresh attacks against the Austrian
| positions defending Gorilla on the north
are being made by the italians from
PLAYA, which they took by storm after
brilliant charge PLAYA Is about seven
miles north OF Gorilla on the tsonSo
River. Occupation Of the heights on the
eastern bank OF the river at that point
gives the Italians tremendous advan-
tage in their efforts to take Gorilla.
The Italians have begun to lombard
the Austrian positions at Kordics and
Moos near the Helm chain OF hills
The Austrian city Of Malborghetlo has
been set on fire by italian shells and is
burning.
Artillery duels are reported from the
Tyrolese, Trent and Carnic Alps despite
fogBy weather and ranstorms.
With large bodies of renforcements the
Austrians are attempting to dislodge the
BersaglIeri from the positions dominating
the plain leading southwark TO Gorilla,
Tho Austrians have delivered several
strong night attacks, all Of which were
repulsed.
WIN TwO-DAY BATTLE
All of the heights OF PLAYA are now In
italian hands. In a fercely contested
two-day battle the soldiers OF Italy won
a brilliant victory and have firmly estab-
lished themselves on the east bank of the
Isonzo to the north Of Gorilla.
General CadornR officially reports that
attacks arc now being made by this army
on Gorizia and Tolmino. The Italian loss
was heavy in the two-day battle, as
they were forced to face heavy Aus
trlan FIRE while crossing the lsonzo on
pontoon bridges.
Operations on other points of the ltal-
ian front are being carried out with equal
vlgor. Tho first four weeks OF the war
have been marked by an uninterrupted
series of successes from Trentlno to the
Adratlc.
The statement follows:
Artillery duels and engagements be-
tween small bodies occupied several
points on the front on June 10. In
Carnla the enemy made fresh attacks
on Freifofel and attempted to approach
the head of the Valonia Pass. They
were repulsed in each case.
BUILT NEW BRIDGES.
New details now have been received
of the struggle which continued two
days and a night for the heights on
the left bank OF the Isonzo River. COM
PLAYA village, which Is situated |
at the bottom of n dehle inclosed by |
steep, wooded slopes between which the |
river runs, deep and rapid. The bridge |
crossing the IsonZo at this point had !!
been destroyed by the enemy. With |
patient efforts and boldness we threw
bridges across during the night and at |
dawn on June 16 our troops began an |
a''a"k The movement was carried out |
all day slowly on account of the enemy's |
resistance and the difficulties of the |
ground, increased by serious artificial OBJ |
stacles and solid entrenchments protected |
by extensive barbed-wire entanglements |
strengthened by iron T bars.
Numerous heavy guns, even 12-inch |
guns, were concealed in commanding posi-
tions which were difficult for our artillery |
to reach. Nevertheless, supported by re-
peated bayonet charges we debouched on |
the enemy's first line toward evening. |
During the night the enemy tried several |
times with sudden dashes to deprive us OF |
the ground conquered, but always they
were thrown back
"on the nth our troops completed their
success by carrying the heights still in |
The hands of the enemy. The latter then |
on them violent artillery and |
machine gun fire. which was followed up
oy another counter-attRck by fresh |
troops. He was decimated and definitely |
iriven back at the point OF the bayOnet
we made more than $50 prisons%s. in
,luding four officers, and captured a
quantity of rifles munitions and one ma
chine gun. Our losses were serious, but
he results obtained were important.
ION the Isopzo, which we passed by |
main force, Inc enemy's positions, natu-
ally commanding and further strength
sned by art, have been, one after another,
aiken by assault. Attempts to assume
he offensive by numerous seasoned
roops have been constantly repulsed. On
The heights Of Piava our infantry well
upported by artillery, has given a fine
example of tenacity and bravery"