Evening star., 1918-07-02
AUSTR|ANS MOVED
DOWN IN ATTACKS
Italians Firmly Hold Three
Mountains They But Re-
Gently Recaptured.
FIGHTING is VERY BITTER

-
ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS.
Monday, July 1.-The local actions re-
sulting in the reconquest Of Monte di
Valbolla, Col Dol Rosso and Coll di
Chele had for their objects the widening
of the Italian front west of the Brenta
and the driving of the enemy from the
positions he captured last Christmas,
lost to the Italians in January and re-
gained on June Is.
The Italian losses were slight COM
pared to those sustained by the Aus
trians. This was due almost entirely
to the violence and accuracy Of the Ital-
ian and allied artillery fire. Under cov-
er of this fire the infantry was able to
take the enemy positions without much
Austrian artillery return fire has been
severe, some shells reaching the plains
behind the lines and destroying houses
centuries old. Trees $50 years old on
Monte Melago have been torn up.
The attack on Col Del Rosso began
Sunday morning shortly before noon.
The Italians took the height from
the Sd Edelweis Division, which for
merly fought under Emperor Charles.
The division suffered severely. Ital-
bombs, while the bersaglieri exacted
heavy toll in f1and-to-hand fighting.
Many of the bersaglieri wore their
red fatigue caps during the battle.
Czecho-Slovak troops distinguished
themselves in the capture of Monte di
Va1hal1a hv the Italians a
number of Austrian prisoners cap
tured by company of Czechs was a
brother Of one of the men in the vic
torious company. They soon estab-
lished their identity and joyful re-
union took place. One of the ques-
tions asked of his newly found broth
er by the prisoner was this: Whose
offensive is this? The Italians seem to
be doing all the fighting"
ROME, July 1.-Heavy attacks
by the Austrians were repulsed by the
Italians. "the enemy masses being
moved down by artillery fire." accord
ing to the official communication from
headquarters. More than 1000 pris-
oners were taken by the Italians. The
statement says:
"On the Asiago plateau our troops
yesterday morning opened action again.
The formidable Col del Rosso was carried
with spirit. Col di Chelo was tho
theater of bitter struggle through
out the whole day.
"In the end the bravery of our troops
conquered the enemys stubborn. re-
sistance and the contested positions
remained IN our hands.
Masses Mown Down.
About midday and in the afternoon
.he enemy launched two heavy at
tacks against Monte di Val Bella. but
the enemy masses. mown down by
to retire.
"Our airplanes daringly participated
in all phases of the fighting.
THE losses suffered by the enemy
on Saturday and Sunday are ascer-
tained to have been exceptionally
heavy. Eighty-five officers and 1895
men were made prisoner. Our losses,
thanks to the .decisiveness Of the at
tack and excellent cooperation Of the
artillery. were very slight.
fighting activity yesterday was normal.
In the Daone valley and in the region
of Giudicaria we surprised small
enemy posts. securing few prisoners
and machine guns In the Meugna
region an enemy attack was repulsed."
Vienna Admits Reverses.
VIENNA, via London. July 1.-The
Austrian war office today admits the
complete evacuation by the Austrian
forces Of the two important strategic
positions of Col del Rosso and Monte
di Val Bella. on the western end Of
the Italian front. The statement says:
Southeast Of Asiago violent fighting
has again developed. Since the mainte-
nance of Col del Rosso and Monte di Val
Bella could only have been effected at
the cost OF great sacrifices, the occu-
pants of these points were withdrawn
into their former main positions at
Stemple wood.
Our land and naval aviators car
ried out successful flights over the re-
gion at the mouth Of the Piave against
enemy military establishments and re-
turned without losses"