The Oskaloosa herald., 1918-06-27
SWEEPING VICTORY
ON ITALIAN FRONT
THOUSANDS OF PRISONERS AND
GUNS TAKEN BY ALLIES
HUN OFFENSIVE COLLAPSES
Invading Forces are Hurled Back
Across thu Piave River and Mon
tclio Retaken. Enemy Put to
Rout All Along Line.

have crossed the Piave river lines in
persuit of fleeing AustriaRs.
Infantry and cavalry forces have
crossed the river to the left of Capo-
sile il was semi-officially stated today.
The western banks of the river have
been practically cleared of the enemy.
MontrlIo Retsken by Italians.
Monticello has been retaken. Only a
few points on the right banks of the
river from BENSON to the sea are now
Occrpicd by enemy forces.
Guns and Prisoners Galore.
The Italians have taken thousands
of additional prisoners Great quaint.
ties of material have also been aban.
doned.
The Austrian retreat continues on
the whole forty mile front from Mon
tello to the sea.
SIashing the Fleeing Huns.
The Italian forces continue to per
sue the enemy and are cutting some
of the regiments to pieces.
Infantry, artillery aeroplanes caval-
ny and the light artillery are all CO
operating in the defeat of the Austrian
attempted rear guard activities.
Great Forces Wiped Out.
Great numbers of the enemy forces
and detachments have been complete.
ly wiped out and enormous hauls of
prisoners are expected hourly.
All of the Italian guns which were
lost on the front during last week
are reported to have been recaptured.
Nine Divisions Annihilated.
Nine Austrian divisions, one hun
dred and eight thousand men have
been completely annihiIated.
Fifteen other divisions have been
completely worn out in the San Dona
region where entire regiments have
been slaughtered.
Austrian Losses Over 100000
The total Austrian losses in the
drive are now estimated at two hun
drew thousand.
The Italian losses in killed, wounded
and captured are not more than forty
thousand according TO a semi-official
statement. w
Time Ripe for Counter Attack.
The report indicates that General
Diaz seized the psychological moment
for renewal of vigorous counter at
tacks along the whole river lines
when the Austrian had only two bridg'
eS across lne rave river VI any SlHS'
Austrians in Bad Plight.
All the other bridge systems had
been swept away by the flooded wat
ers leaving the enemy trapped on the
western banks of the river short OF
food and ammunition, and without any
means of obtaining reenforcements.
The retreat win leave the AuStrians
in a worse position both politically and
military than before the drive started
a week ago yesterday.
Enemy Faces Serious Condition.
II they yield all the ground which
they have captured in this offensive
they viii have to face very serious
losses in man power without any con-
crete object having been obtained.
This Will not only have a serious eff
feet on the army's morale but will add
TO the already serious depression at
home
Cavalry Chasing Enemy.
Rome, June 24.-The Italian cayal-
ny has crossed the middle Pave in
addition to the bridging OF the Lower
Piave river and are chasing after the
fleeing Austrians along the easter
bank or the stream 1t was officially
announced in reports this afternoon.
Fresh Troops Taking Part.
Two thousand Austrians we're cap
tured at Monticello.
Numerous squads OF Italian bomb
ers have crossed the river where the
Italian artillery and aeroplanes are
harrassing the retreating enemy.
Enemy IN Full Retreat.
London. June 24.--Reports from
Rome this afternoon indicate that
from the Monticello plateau to the Asiat-