Licking Valley courier., 1918-06-27
AMERICAN Flyers
BOMB BRIDGES IN
BIG PIAvE BATTLE
U. S. Aviators Blow Holes in
Structure; Enemy Placed
on the Defensive.
FOE FAILS TO WIDEN Salient
Italians Throw Back Enemy at Key.
stone to Front Before Venice and
Gain Ground on Lower Piave,
Parliament Is Told.

Italian Headquarters, June 22.-Thc
first. American aylators to fly on the
Italian front went on a bombing eXpe-
dition and succeeded in blowing two
holes In q new Austrian bridge across
the Piave river.
The commander of the Italian avi-
alton camp expressed satisfaction with
the work of the Americans. The ayi-
alton forces on this front are display
ing the most intense activity.
Enemy's Efforts Fail.
Rome, June 22.-The efforts Of the
Austrians to widen the northeastern
salient on the Montello, the keystone
of the Piave front, toward the west
have failed, Premier Orlando informed
parliament.
Toward the south, the premier said,
the enemy again succeeded in crossing
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. railway ut
several points near the Niversa sta
ton, but was promptly stopped. On
the lower Piave the Italians gained
more ground.
The enemy's losses during the day
were enormous, the premier added.
The Italians took several hundred prls-
oners.
Second Phase Is Expected Soon.
Italian Headquarters, June 22.-The
second phase of the Austrian offensive.
featured by attacks to the right and
left of valstagna, along the Brenta riv-
er and In the mountains, should logi-
cally begin soon, now that the effort
on the Piave has failed. II Is felt that
II the Austrians do not renew their eff
forts to penetrate to the plains through
the Bretna region and taking Monte
Grappa 1t would be an acknowledgment
kof defeat and their-innhilI Ity. 30 .carcS,
BSs4
ont the ambitious plan launched week
ago.
The situation, however, Is still re-
: garded as very serious and all prepara-
lions have been made to meet any new
offensive.
Along the Piave the Italian positions
are virtually unchanged. The Austrl-
ans are fighting well, according to the
Italians, but the latter are outclassing
them. 1t is believed that the Italians
would have driven the Austrians bac.
across the river before this but for the
nature of the open fighting, which an
American on this front said reminded
him of the Indian combats In the old
days.
Night Fighting Is Opposed.
Night fighting and bushwhackine
methods are necessary, although they
are not favored by the military au
thoritles because of the confusion and
danger Of firing upon their own men
especially where large bodies of troops
are engaged. Another difficulty has
been the similarity in color between
the Italian and Austrian uniforms.
The Austrian losses have been eX
tremely heavy.
Although there Is much sharp fight
ing. there are many lulls, during whlcl
the only distraction of the armies II
watching the bombing operations OF tn
rival aviators.
Austrlans in Italian Uniforms.
Rome, June 22.-Italian military OF
iclals learned before the Austrian oil
fensive began, says a semioihclal not
issued today, that the Austrlans ha,
dressed Italian speaking Austrian sol
dlers In Italian uniforms In order L
throw them at suitable moment int
the entente line so us to provide PAM
and disorder.
Captured AustHans so garOeu Wer
executed after drumhead court-mal
tlal, In accordance with the laws O
war.