New-York tribune., 1917-05-22
Fail
In Massed Attack
In the Trentino
Counter Offensive Started
to Offset Italian Drive
East of the Isonzo
Fighting Hand to Hand

London, May 21.-The Austrians have
started n counter offensive on the Iren-
tino front against the Italian drive
east of the Isonzo. Though they came
forward in dense masses down several
mountain valleys after heavy artillery
preparation. they were thrown back IN
hand TO hand fighting, according to the
official bulletin from Rome.
The Italians on the Julian front
meanwhile extended their gains on the
Vodice north of Monte Santo, and took
a hill between Britovo and Palliova'
together with several hundred prison
ers. Vienna fatty denies that the
Italians were able TO MAINTAIN their
positions on Hill 652, north Of Monte
Santo. declaring that they were driven
back in strong counter thrusts. Inc
Vienna statement Is silent on the OF
fensivo in the Trentino.
This operation would be pressed
roughly at right angle to Cadorna
front on the Isonzo. Since the begin
ming of the war the Italians have been
slowly working forward in the Iren-
,ino TO establish defence lines against
the threat of just such an assault.
Enemy Artillery Active
The official statement from Rome to-
day says: ..,,.u..
an the Trentino the enemy artlllery
activity which began on Saturday grew
moro intense and more extensive yes
terday. Il was particularly violent pc
tween the Adige and the Terragnoio
valleys. Local attacks had already been
repuised on Saturday night at Guecel'
in the Lepro Valley, and at RIO freddo'
in the Astico Valley. :.
"The enemy attempts at diversion
we're renewed yesterday, but again
without success in the Campo area ~
the Daone Valley, southeast OF Lake
Poppio: at Rio Cameras in the Acige
Valley and on the Maso Torrent Line
in the Sugana Valley. Late IN the
evening masses of the enemy vigorous
lv assaulted our positions on the Pasu-
b;o west of Monte Dente. After heavy
d-to-hsnd fighting the enemy, SUI
forinp severe loss, was completely
driven back all along the line OF the
attack. .,..
"On the Julian front, enemy attacks
OH the northern slopes of San Marco,
east of Gorilla, between Mounts
Vucognacco and Faiti and in the
neiphborhood of Hill 28S were re-
pulsed. We took Hill 1853 between Pal,
iiova and Britovo, east of PLAYA, and
extended our positions still more on
the Vodice. We captured some hun
l dreds of prisoners and considerable
{ ouantity of war material abandoned
bv the enemy in caverns.
"Two enemy machines were brought
down during the air fighting"
Austrian Statement
The Austrian official statement reads /:
"The enemy Yesterday continued his
attacks on the Isonzo, his main press
ure being directed against our POSI-
tions between the Vodice and Salcano
! All the enemy's efforts were frultless,
and he was unable TO gain a loot OF
territory
"In the morning the enemy twice
/ brought his masses forward TO deliver
attacks against Monte Santo. The first
/ attack collapsed before il could prop
I erlv develop. under our destructive fire.
/ During the second attack the enemy
I troops in the neighborhood of Monte
Santo Convent forced their way IN our
( trenches, which had been destroyed by
drumfre. Our brave troops. including
the Marburg Landsturm. drove the en-
/ emv back in a counter attack with the
bayonet.
@In the evening the Italians, re
framing from any artillery preparation,
advanced TO a powerful attack on WIDE
front, which on this line was directed
against the whole sector near Vodlce
and Monte Santo. At Vodice the storm
ING columns, suffering heavy losses,
succeeded in mounting the ridge.