The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-21
YANKEE AIRMEN
BOMBNEW BRIDGE
Built by Austrians Over Piave.
Work of Americans in
Italy Praised.
AWAIT. THE SECOND PHASE
OF Enemy offensive-Delay
Would Be Acknowledge
ment Of Defeat.
AWAIT THE SECOND PHASE
(Assocjated Press.)

Italian Army Headquarters, Thurs
day, June 2o.-The first American
aviators to ny on the Italian from
went today on a bombing expedition
and succeeded in blowing two holes in
a new Austrian bridge across the
Piave.
The commander of the italian avia- =
tion camp expressed satisfaction with
the work of the Americans. The avia-
tion forces on this front are display
ing the most intense activity.
The second phase of the Austrian
offensive, featured by attacks to the
right and left of Valstagna along the
Brenta river and in the mountains,
should logically begin soon, now that
the effort on the Piave has failed. 1t
Is felt that If the Austrians do not
renew their efforts to penetrate to the
plains through the Brenta~region and
taking Monte Grappa 1t would be an
acknowledgment of defeat and their
inability to carry out the ambitious
plan launcned week ago.
The situation, however, is still re-
garded as very serious and all prepa-
rations have been made to meet any
new offensive.
Like Indian Combats.
Along the Piave the Italian posi-
tions are virtually unchanged. The
Austrians are fighting well, according
to the Italians but the latter are out
CHASING them. 1t is believed that the
Italians would have driven the Aus
TRANS back across the river before
this but for the nature of the open
isrhtirS which an America. on this
front said reminded him of the In
dian combats in the old days. Night
fighting and BUSH -whacking methods
are necessary. although they are not
favored by the military authorities
because of the confusion and danger
of firing upon their own men. An
other difficulty has been the SINH
larity in color between the italian and
Austrian uniforms. The Austrian
losses have been extremely heavy.
Although there is much sharp nght-
ing there are many lulls during which
the only distraction of the armies Is
watching the bombing operations of
the rival aviators
MontelIo Battle Severe.
The fighting on the Montello pla-
teau continues to be very severe since
n is felt by the Italians that the
loss of this position would be more
important than the withdrawal from
a few kilometres of ground along the
Piaye. The conditions there are also
bad. owing to the wooded hills whlcn
are crossed by seventy-twO faVlnes'
each one of which constitutes a sep
arate line of defense. Many OF tneih
are still strewn with dead. an indlca-
tion of the intensity of the Austrian
resistance as the enemy was SLOWLY
nressed back from points he had won
IN the first rush. The Austrians carry
IN the offensive had almost hal1 tne
nlateau. but now they have only apoul
one-third, including many OF lhel
hest positions, such as the town VI
Nervesa, which has been set OH Hie
by the italian artillery.
No Fear in Venice.
No fear is felt in Venice that the
Austr;ans will get there. The cor
on visiting the city, Iounu
~ ahsence of excitement ana there
Nos NO intention to leave on the par
80 the inhabitants. Large stochs y,
y, ul da.e. which the American Keu
G.nss has had on hand In Venice 1oI
-. - - few months have proved mus.
..sof,,I n the Italian wounded.
'..har of cases have been turnsu
n,ar 70 the British Red cross I pE
ronuest of Lord Monson, brltish i'O
Cross commissioner.