The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-06-24
ITALIANS WIN
BIG BATTLE;
ENEMY FLEES
Austrians in Flight Over the
Piave on 35-Mile
Front.
LOSSES TOTAL 10000 men
Emperor's Forces Recrossing River In
Disorder and Are Pursued by
Diaz's Troops-Great Disaster
for Central Powers.

Diaz's Troops-Great Disaster
for Central Powers.
italian Army Headquarters, June "a.
Mot only are the Austrian losses
stupendous, but 10000 of their troops
are cornered In the Montello bend Of
the Piave and probably will be anni-
hlIated
Rome, June 24.-On the Piave river
front from the Montello to the Adri-
attic, the defeated Austro-Hungarians
are recrossing the river In disorder,
says the italian official statement.
The enemy is being closely pursued
by the Italian troops.
The Austrian retreat as Indicated In
the above bulletin is on a front of
about 35 miles,
The report of the Austrian retire
ment across the Piave was issued by
the supreme command here.
Vienna Statement.
London, June 24.-The Austrian
statement says: 1.-THE fighting on the
Pfaye has been less violent. The Pi-
ave Is a rushing stream" 1t adds
Communication between the banks Il
impossible for hours and the greatest
difficulty is experienced in the trans
port Of supplies. "Our troops, how
ever, have not been impaired" the
statement adds.
Foes Losses 80,00o.
Italian Army Headquarters in North
ern Italy, June 24.-From Montello to
the sea the enemy has been defeated
and forced by the Italian troops to
cross the Piave river in disorder. A
large part of the Hungarian
casualties, estimated by Italian mill
tary officials at 10000, and probably
more, sustained in their latest abortive
offensive, were due to the fact that
In the early hours preceding the as
sault a wek ago the Italians anticipat-
ed the Austrians by pouring artillery
fire upon troop concentrations which
were being made preparatory to at
tacks.
The Austrian losses on the Montello
and at Sen Dona di Piave 're partic-
ularly heavy after the first two days
Of the offensive, owing to the fierce
ness Of the attacks at these two
points.
Drive Proves Great Disaster.
London, June 24-The much-her-
aided Austrian drive has turned into
what may be great Austrian disaster,
which may put Germany's main ally
out Of the war and wreck the >Haps-
burg dynasty.
BILE should Emperor Carl's armies be
defeated IN the field.
Last weeks drive was the most am
bilious one that Austria has under
taken, and from the first day it was
evident that 1t was too big task for
her to handle alone
Foe Opened Drive June is.
. Beginning at dawn on the 18th inst,
their initial momentum carried them
across the Piave from San Dona to
Nervesa halfway over the Montello
ridge, up the eastern slope of Monte
Grappa and down from Asiago to-
ward the Sette Communi.
Italians Expected Attack.
There was no surprise about 1T.
weeks 1t was the subject of fire.
Quent comment in the press.
Thus the first element Of success
upon which Hindenburg so much de-
pending In the west, was lacking.
On the mountain front the Austri-
ans were met at once and stopped
British gunners aided by Italian In
fantry pushed them back to their orig,
inal positions on the Asiago plateau
and the French around Mount Grappa
drove them from its slopes.
Only On the Montello ridge did they
hold their gains beyond the second
day. Here and there allies are fight
ing together, French and Italians on
the western edge and on the eastern
decl1vities Italians and British arttl-
lery.
The British had been on the Carso
and had fought their way back during
the retreat of last year, stopping at
MOntello to guard the reaches of the
Piave
The Italians lost many men taken
prisoner In the first onrush, but they
counter-attacked and for every man
captured by the enemy they have
killed at least three Austrians, accord
ing to reports of correspondents, who
declare that the slaughter was ap
palling.
Foe Yields at All Points.
After tha fourth dav tho opop,x, no
gan to yield ground everywhere. Or
Thursday the Italians carried out 6
brilliant maneuyer. pushing the Aus