I take great pleasure
in tendering my own hearty congratulations, and would be most happy to
have a message of greeting and congratulation transmitted to General
Diaz and his brave soldiers.
NEWTON D. BAKER,
Secretary of War of the United States.
In announcing to his victorious army the repulse of the Austrians
General Diaz, the Italian Commander-in-Chief, said:
"The enemy who, with furious impetuosity, used all means to penetrate
our territory has been repulsed at all points. His losses are very
heavy. His pride is broken. Glory to all commands, all soldiers, all
sailors."
On the 26th of June the Italian troops, having forced the last rear
guard of the retreating Austrians to surrender and completely occupied
the west bank of the Piave, began an offensive on the mountain front in
the Monte Grappa sector. They gained more than 3,000 prisoners, and
considerable territory. On the southern part of the Piave front they
were carrying on a vigorous offensive against the Austrian positions
within the Piave delta. The Austrian troops, at that point, were being
prevented from retreat by the high water, and suffered terrible losses.
On July 6th the Italians drove the last of the enemy from the delta.
The campaign in Italy now languished, until, on October 27th, Italy
began her last terrible drive.
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