The sun., 1918-06-26
Diaz's Troops Strike on
Mountain Front and Gain
Much Ground.
FAR BEYOND THE PAVE
Last Austrian Rear Guard
on River Surrenders,
1926 Being Taken.
HUNDREDS ARE DROWNED
Armies of Archduke Joseph
and Wurm Reported to
Be in Trap.
FAR BEYOND THE PIAVE
HUNDREDS ARE DROWNED

PARIS, June 25.-The defeat Of the
Austrians in Italy is taking on moro
and more the character Of disaster
for the Central Empires. The Ita1-
ians and their allies, the French and
British contingents. are now taking
the offensive on the diff1cult northern
front and to-day made material gains
not only on the Asiago plateau but
also to the east, in the Monte Grappa
and Monte Asolone regions.
On the Piave the last rear guard Of
the Austrians has been compelled to
surrender. and the entire west bank
has been reoccupied by the Italians.
who, moreover, have crossed the river
at several places in hot pursuit Of tho
fleeing Austrians. and in the middle
sector OF the eastern front have pene-
trated eight or ten miles.
The number Of prisoners taken BY
the Italians. reported yesterday at As
900, was increased to-day to more than
$4,000. Large stores Of military ma
terial have been captured. despite a
denial from Vienna. The Austrian Of
ficial report tonight asserts that the
Italians have lost more than $4,000
prisoners since Juno Is, including 1,l0O
officers. and that the total Italian
losses since the beginning OF tho Of
fensive have been at least 10000. On
the other hand. competent observers
on the scene place ths-aAustrian losses
at 100000.
~OffieiAi4Aaeests.
Following are the official reports on
the operations:
1TALIAN-Dur,ng yesterday tho
valiant troops OF the Third Army.
having obliged the las, rear guard Of
the enemy TO surrender. completely re-
occupied the right bank OF the Piave,
capturing eighteen Officers and 1907
OF other ranks
In the Tonale area our Alpini in n
euccessful surprise attack captured all
the garrison OF an enemy advanced
post southeast OF Punta di Ercavallo.
On the Asiago plateau. In the course
OF raids on the slopes of Monte di Val
della, 1o2 prisoners were captured.
Along the northwestern from: of the
Grappa our troops were in actions
combined with heavy concentrations Of
artillery. Infantry thrusts. carried out
with elan. inflicted heavy losses upon
the enemy and gained us considerable
advantages Of ground. We captured
eeven officers and 1895 OF other ranks
and sixteen machine guns.
During the day yesterday and last
night out airplanes carried out effec-
tive bomba rtlments. On June o3 and
- nine enemy machines were brought
down.
Austrian Statement.
AUSTRIAN--ln the Montello ~
gion and south OF II the enemy Is feel
ing his way to the Pave with patrols
In the San Dona di Piave district GOV.
er.ng troops which are protecting the
crossing Of our divisions have had TO
ward of strong attacks during the
past few days.
Here also we have been able 10
carry out our moyemen; in accordance
with plans and without loss OF ma
terial
Since June II the Italians have lost
over 10000 prisoners. including about
l.lo0 officers. The total losses Of the
enemy AT the lowest estimate amount
to 900 men.
Yesterday the mountain front he
tween the Asiago plateau and tho
P!sve again was the theatre OF violent
battles. The enemy did his utmost to
reoapture the hill positions lost June
10. During the create, part OF the
day there was bitter fghting on the
Monte dl Val Bella. the Col del Rosso.
Asoone, Solapolo and Monte Pertira.
The Italians We're thrown back ev-
erywhere, at several places by coun-
ter attacks.