g of importance occurred throughout
the late spring and the entire summer of 1916, excepting fairly
continuous artillery bombardments, varying in strength and extent.

Considerable activity, however, was the rule rather than the exception
in the sector between the Carnic Alps and the Dolomites. There, one
point especially, saw considerable fighting. Monte Tofana, just beyond
the frontier on the Austrian side, had been held by the Italians for a
considerable period, and with it a small section of the surrounding
country, less than five miles in depth. The Italians at various times
attempted, with more or less success, to extend and strengthen their
holdings, while the Austrians, with equal determination, tried to
wrest from them what they had already gained, and to arrest their
further progress.

In this region Alpine detachments of the Italian army on the night of
July 8, 1916, gained possession of a great part of the valley between
Tofana Peaks Nos. 7 and 2, and of a strong position on Tofana Prima
commanding the valley. The Austrian garrison was surrounded and
compelled to surrender. The Italians took 190 prisoners, including
eight officers, and also three machine guns, a large number of rifles
and ammunition.

A few days later, on July 11, 1916, the Italians exploded a mine,
destroying the Austro-Hungarian defenses east of Col dei Bois peak.
This position commanded the road of the Dolomites and the explosion
blew it up entirely, and gave possession of it to the Italians. The
entire Austrian force which occupied the summit was buried in the
wreckage. On the following night the Austrians attempted to regain
this position which the Italians had fortified strongly in the
meantime, but the attack broke down completely.

Three days later, July 14, 1916, Italian Alpine detachments surprised
and drove the Austrians from their trenches near Castelletto and at
the entrance of the Travenanzes Valley. They took some prisoners,
including two officers, as well as two guns, two machine guns, one
trench mortar and a large quantity of arms and ammunition. An Austrian
counterattack against this position was launched on July 15, 1916, but
was repulsed.

Finally on July 30, 1916, the Italians registered one more success in
this region. Some of their Alpine troops carried Porcella Wood and
began an advance in the Travenanzes Valley.

Throughout this period considerable artillery activity was maintained
on both sides. As a result