The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-07-03
ITALIAN OFFENSIVE
MEETS WITH SUCCESS

MEETS WITH SUCCESS
Success has apparently crowned
the offensive of the Italinas in the
mountains north of the Venetian
plains. Launched on Saturday the
attack on the Austrian lines has gain
ed rugged heights where the enemy
was strongly entrenched, and the
fighting is still going on. Vienna
admits a retirement to prepared po-
sitions," which is the expression used
in official statements to mean that
an enemy blow had gained important
ground.
After three days Of struggling in
the mountains, the Italians are still
hammering hard at the most power
full and threatening positions of the
enemy. They have not only gained
ground but held it against desperate
counterattacks by the Austrians.
Detail maps do not show distinctly
some Of the places mentioned in the
official statements. The Vienna ad-
mission that the new Austrian line
is Through Stemple wood" is there
fore without significance but as the
positions held by the Austrians be-
fore the Italians began were above
the forest line it would seem that
the enemy had been ousted from the
higher ground he formerly held and
thus placed at disadvantage in the
fighting to come.
Planned With Care
The Italian attack seemingly was
planned with care. On the right
flank of General Diaz's forces is the
Brenta River which affords some pro-
lection against flanking attack. On
the left there are two deep valleys
which also lend themselves admirably
to the tactics adopted by the Italians.
The British hospital ship Llando-
very Castle, bound from a Canadian
port for England, has been sunk with
out warning by German submarine
when 70 miles from land. So far
only "a Of the 25S persons on board
have been reported safe. The fate
Of those who are missing is unknown.
An official statement issued at Ber-
lin claims that 191, ,454 unwounded
allied prisoners have been captured
since March FL. OF these 94,939
were British, $1,000 were French and
the rest were Portuguese, Belgians
and Americans. Six allied generals
and 5000 officers are said to have
been taken by the Germans.
Attacks in France.
In France there have been. local
attacks at various points north of
the Marne on the west side of the
salient driven into the allied lines by
German offensive that was begun
May27. The French have advanced
their lines north Of the Clignon Riv-
er once more and have passed the rail-
road line running from Cheszy to
Vinly. Further north the French
have taken strong positions along the
ridges to the east of Villers Cotterets
forest.
There have been no unusual en-
gagements along the British or Anne
rican fronts but there is a tenseness
along the whole line from Ypres to
Rheims, and even to the east, along
the French and American sectors.
There is expectation that the break
ing of the storm may come at any
time. In front Of Amiens this feel
ing is especially marked. There the
Germans began a great bombardment
but so far as reported have not sent
their infantry into action.
There was intense activity in aerial
fighting Sunday. The French brought
down or put out of action FL German
airplanes, while the British shot down
22 and drove ten down our of con-
troll.