Nearer Lens

Fight for Permysl: conflicting reports

It is evident that, up to the present, General Cadorna’s troops have met with no resolute opposition and in the latest despatch a ‘complete defeat of the enemy’ is accompanied by dry modest details as to Austrian losses.

It would appear, therefore, that the Italians are very wisely making haste slowly, and ‘organising’ and ‘consolidating’ the successive positions as they fall into their hands.

This is prudent, for the enemy cannot be altogether without a plan of campaign and though Italian progress in the Dolomites wears an appearance of irresistible strength, it has not yet come up against the ancient problem of the ‘immovable body’.

In any case, it is well that the positions they leave behind them should be strengthened and available for use if required. It has been generally understood that considerable Austrian forces had been held in reserve for the Italian thrust and it may be that a blow is preparing which may carry the enemy like an avalanche into the plains of Lombardy.

If full precautions have been taken by the Italians – and who can doubt it – the enemy’s intentions will be frustrated and the advance on Trent will continue with every chance of a triumphant issue.

The Archduke Eugen, it is announced, will assume command of the defence of Trent. He is thoroughly acquainted with the whole of Alpine region bordering on Italy and may prove formidable antagonist. Now that the announcement has been made, we may expect him to get a move on and, if so, more affairs of outposts will soon be a thing of the past.

Yesterday’s official communique from Rome announces that on the Tyrol-Trentino frontier the important height of Goni Zugna which luminaries Roverato, has been occupied by Italian troops. Rovereto is heavily defended and the occupation of Goni Zugna is of much strategic importance.

In the Val Sugana the Italian front is within two miles of Borgo, and Mount Belvedere, commanding the Fiera di Primiero, in the Val Ciamon, has been captured.

Alpine Chasseurs on Sunday repulsed five attacks from an Austrian force, with machine guns, in the Monte Crocs Pass, on the Carnia frontier.

Austrian air raids on Bari, on the Adriatic coast, in the South of Italy, and on Brindisi, are reported in an official communique from Rome. At the first named place a child was killed and at Brindisi two citizens were injured.

The Austrians are giving their dirigibles Italian names and using the Italian flag, a device which can only meet with temporary success.

The latest despatch, from which quotation was made in the first paragraph of the summary, also speaks of bad weather. Presumably, this is hindering operations, but ‘it has not in the slightest degree impaired the health or spirit of Italian troops’.

The Germans’ official report of the great effort against the Russians claims great successes including the capture of three of the Permysl forts by Bavarian troops and the storming and taking of Austro-German force of the Russian position at Stryj.

How much or how little credibility to attach to these claims it is not yet possible to estimate but the report must not be dismissed as entirely baseless.