center of the Austro-Hungarian army was sweeping
down toward Arsiero, while another strong force further west was
within ten miles of the Italian city of Schio. Both of these points
are terminals of the railroad system of which Vicenza is the center.
That day some of the armored works of Arsiero and some strongly
fortified positions southwest of Bacarola were captured and Monte
Mochicce was occupied. Another Austrian success was the capture of the
entire mountain range from Corno di Campo Verde to Montemeata (in the
Val d'Assa). The Italians suffered sanguinary losses and also lost
more than 2,500 prisoners, four guns, four machine guns, 300 bicycles
and much other material.

In the Monte Nero zone on the night of May 26, 1916, the
Austro-Hungarians attacked Italian trenches near Vrsic and succeeded
in gaining a temporary foothold. When reenforcements arrived, after a
violent counterattack, the Italians drove out the enemy, taking some
prisoners and machine guns.

The natural difficulties in the way of the Austro-Hungarian invaders
were so manifold and severe that it appeared at times as if the
offensive had come to a standstill. However, this was not the case.
Slowly but surely it progressed and as it progressed it even spread
out. Thus on May 27, 1916, the Austrians not only captured a
fortification at Coronolo, west of Arsiero, and also a barricade in
the Assa Valley, southwest of Monte Interrotto, but also carried their
offensive further toward the west until it included the northern end
of Lake Garda.

Again on May 28, 1916, the Italians had to give way. The Austrians
crossed the Assa Valley near Roana, four and a half miles southwest of
Asiago. They also repulsed Italian attacks near Canove, between Asiago
and Schio, and occupied the southern slopes and captured the
fortifications on the Monte Ingrotto heights, north of Asiago, after
having taken Monte Cebio, Monte Sieglarella and the Corno di Campo
Bianco. In the upper Posina Valley the Italians were driven out of
their positions west and south of Webalen.

With renewed vigor the Austrians attacked on May 29, 1916. As a result
the armored work of Punta Gorda fell into their hands, and west of
Arsiero they forced the crossing of the Posina Brook and occupied the
heights on the southern bank in the face of determined Italian
resistance.

The next day, May 30, 1916, Austrian troops, northeast of Asiago,
drove the Italians from Gallio and stormed positions on