ve in the
Trentino region had definitely been stopped or abandoned. From time to
time, it is true, the Austrians returned to the offensive. But this
was always of local importance only and restricted in strength and
extent. The Italians, on the other hand, not only maintained their new
offensive movement, but even extended gradually its sphere.

Two attempted attacks by the Austro-Hungarian forces in the region of
Monte Novegno, made in the direction of Monte Ciove and Monte
Brazonne, were repulsed. But on Monte Lemerle, against which the
Austrians had launched without success a very violent attack only a
few days before, they now surprised a hostile detachment near the
summit and captured the mountain completely, taking 500 prisoners.

Italian activity was renewed again on the Isonzo front. After intense
artillery preparation a Naples brigade, supported by dismounted
cavalry detachments, in a surprise attack, penetrated Austrian lines
east of Monfalcone. The trenches remained in Italian possession after
a severe struggle, during which 10 officers, 488 men, and 7 machine
guns were captured.

Italian squadrons of aeroplanes bombarded the railway station at
Mattarello, in the Lagarina Valley, and encampments at the junction of
the Nos and Campomulo Valleys on the Asiago Plateau, while Austrian
aeroplanes dropped bombs on Padova, Giorgio di Nogaro, and Porto
Rosega.

The Italian advance was steadily maintained from now on, not without,
however, finding everywhere the stiffest kind of resistance, which at
times made it even possible for the Austro-Hungarians to gain slight
local successes. These, however, were not extensive or frequent enough
to change the general picture of military operations on the
Austro-Italian front. The Austrians, though still on Italian territory
in a number of localities, were on the defensive with the Italians,
though making only very slow and painful progress, unquestionably on
the offensive.

On June 16, 1916, the Italians advanced northeast of Asiago, between
the Frenzela Valley and Marcesina. Notwithstanding the difficult and
intricate nature of the terrain and the stubborn resistance of the
Austrians, intrenched and supported by numerous batteries, the Italian
troops made progress at the head of the Frenzela Valley, on the
heights of Monte Fior and Monte Castel Gomberto and west of Marcesina.
The best results were attained on the right wing, where Alpine troops
carried the positions of