The Mankato free press., 1918-06-28
TIED TO Their HORSE
Reach FAR-OFF BANK
There They Were Blown Into
Bits By Italian Shot
FLED UNDER BULLETS
Bodies of the Enemy Troops
We're Moved Down Almost
In Entirety
Associated Press Dispatch !

Rome, June 26.--;talian troops
forced the last rear guard of the
retreatino Austrians to surrender
and completely reoccuped the
west bank OF the Piave, the war
office announces.
On the mountain front betr.een
the Piave and the 3renta in the
Monte Grappa sector the Italians
vigorously attacked the Austriahs
inflictins heavy losses upon the
enemy and gaining considerable
ground.
More than 5000 more prison
ers were taken by the italians on
the Piave an mountain front.
Austria Hungary, June 25.--Swiss
dispatches state that the Austrian
people have failed to swallow the
latest excuses of the war office. They
are despondent and downcast over
the failure of the Italian drive.
Italian Headquarters, Tuesday,
June 26-Under the fire of Italian
machine guns and artillery, the Aus
trian withdrawal across the Piaye
soon became rOut. 1t is estimated
that the Austrian losses total over
100000 Maddened Austriansy fed un-,
der deluge of bullets and shells.
They leaped into the river, grasping
at what they could for support. Some
tied themselves to horses only to be
blown to pieces when they reached
the opposite bank At Monteilo the
slaughter was terrific. Bodies of troops
were moved down almost in their
entirety. At Nervesa the crossing
on both banks is lined with dead and
dying.
London, June 26.-It is learned from
an authoritative source tha THE Ital'
ians have started a counter offensive
in the mountain region! The Aus
trians are making strong resistance
but the Italians are gaining.
In Full Retreat.
= Washington, June 26.-An official
dispatch from Rome says the AustTi-
ans are in full retreat, and that papers
taken from prisoners show that Aus
tria had not contemplated the possi-
bility of defeat and was promising her
soldiers this offensive would be the
last stroke to put Italy out of the war.
Troops Surrounded.
Rome, June 26.-The Giornale d.
Italia says the troops of Archduke
Joseph and General Wurm are vir-
.tually surrounded and must surrender
or be annihilated.
"The Italians have occupied enemy
trenches on Monte Valbelia and Monte
Asolone and have captured Hill 1873
Prisoners are still coming in" said
a statement by the Italian war office.
The-Austrians have been swept
across the Piave on the whole front
from Montello to the sea, except for
three mile sector between Musile
and Capo Sile, where covering forces
is still holding out, it was added
Austrians Pursued.
London, June 26.-Austria's armies
again are beyond the Piave and the
river line once more bars the enemy
from the Venetian plain. The crushed
to the river but the Italians at points
have occupied strong bridgeheads on
the eastern bank
How thorough the Italian victory
has been is not yet clear, as every
hour brings reports of increasing Aus
invaders were killed il their attempt
to regain the eastern bank of the river
and the latest announcement from
General Diaz place the number oil
prisoners alone at 10000. One report
places the Austrian casualties at 200
06O men,, In addition the enemy lost
large stores Of munitions and supplies
and many guns.
Piave Flood Ended.
Apparently the Sudden torrent in
the Piave, which played havoc with
Austrian communications, fell as
quickly as it rose and the river bed
was dry when the Austrian retreat
began. This enabled the enemy te
get many of their troops across, other
wise his losses would have beer
measureably greater
Blow in West Awaited.
Along the front from the North SCI
to Switzerland the Allied armies are
awaiting another blow from the Ger
mans. Premier Lloyd George has told
the British house of commons that
another gigantic enemy effort is com
ing with a few days, possibly With,
a few hours. The Allies are ready II
combat it.