South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-06-17

AN-ANNA AAAGa
The pressure OF the Austro-
Hungarians has continued strongly"
said the statement. "On Saturday
the enemy attacked IN strength,
using 60 divisions. but he did not
succeed in passing any point in the
advanced area.
The enemy attacked under the
screen Of an artificial fog which
lasted for 10 minutes North Of
Sesuna a group of British troops
was surrounded, but resisted until a
counter attack released them. when
200 Austrians were captured.
South Of the Monte Bello the
\ u ustro- -HUngarians who crossed the
Piave are being pressed back to-
wards the river.
The fourth army completely re
gained their advanced positions in
the sectors of Monte Azalona. Fer
tica, Solarola and Porte di Salon.
Battle just Begun.
The battle which broke out on
SATURDAY between the Asiago plateau
and the Adriatic sea may be regard
ed as just begun. The Austrians
Hd W htF'l tOllNEliAi d AAll- lAAbf@A BON
erful and fierce attacks astride the
Brenta river and across the Piave.
1t is still possible that the fighting
line may iow backwards and for
wards but the situa ton is very re-
assuring.
THE favorable results achieved by
the allies were due TO the timely
artillery counter preparation and
magnificent resistance and unpar-
alleled elan of our troops
The enemy based his enterprise
on artillery preparation that was
relatively brief; but Of extreme vio-
lence employing larse number OF
gas shells
The Austrian infantry equipment
was lightened and they advanced in
thin storming formation under the
protection of artificial fog produced
/ from bombs and a smoke ma king
/ apparatus called nebelmaschinen.
| This murk consists Of chemical
mixture and il covered a large area
+ for 10 minutes"
First Days Aim 15 Kilometres.
The enemy placed much faith in
/ his preparation and fixed the aim OF
his first days fighting as an ad-
/ vance Of more than Is kilometres
/ Cbetween nine and ten miles, and
TO descend from the mountain area
/ into the plain. reaching Treviso
/ from the Piave.
The hostile bonn bardment was
4 begun al O'Clock on the morning
j - al n
hour II was anticipated and partly
frustrated by formidable fire from
Italian artillery, which destroyed
the Austro- Hungarian lines and
shelters. We obtained direct hits on
unassed troops and poison gas bat
terry emplacements.
when the enemy advanced
against our front lines ne encounter
ed resistance and found Italian ma
chine gun squads ready TO support
counter attacks. Consequently the
Austro- Germans Immediately lost a
great part Of the advantages gained
leaving both prisoners and machine
guns in the hands OF the Italians.
The same thing happened 10 the
Austria rs along the whole front
In the attack north Of Cesuna an
advanced group Of British was pass
ed and surrounded by the Austrians
We counter attacked and relieved
them. Southeast Of Nennar the
French counter attacking with
great spirit. reoccupied strong
point they had momentarily Weld
ed. capturing 1s5 prisoners
Regain Positions.
Between Col Meschim and More
ferena. the fourth army completely
regained possession OF advanced p0-
sitions where the enemy had beer
able 10 make slight progress
"A battalion OF infantry. sur.
rounded near Pirte a. Salton resist.
ed heroically although greatly
vea kered. We counter attacked and
regained the whole position
a storming detachment SUP.
ported b. artillery. retook Col Mes.