COVERING THE ITALIAN RETREAT

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1917, Page 7

COVERING THE ITALIAN RETREAT

PRODIGIOUS VALOUR OF THE TROOPS GUNS MAN-HANDLED ACROSS THE ISONZO (AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEALAND' CABLE .ASSOCIATION;) (Received November 3, 11 a.m.) _, -'■■'•■■. ■■'■„"■ LONDON, 2nd. November. . -The. war correspondents pay. a tribute to the courage and tenacity of the Italian 3rd Army during the retreat. The rearguard' performed prodigies of' valour. .In. spite, ot persistent shelling'by the enemy, they covered the withdrawal of the guns by. repeatedly charging the advancing Austrians, five times driving them back into the Valloito (the valley between the Carso and Doberdo Plateaux). ... . ■ Whei: the Austrians were likely to occupy positions commanding the Isonzo -bridges, the troops on the Careo bravely resisted, while the artillery by superhuman effort man-handled the guns over the Isonaj. ' " The Borsaglieri and Alpini specially distinguished themselves. The Alpinr at Monte Aero appear to have fought until exhausted. They were still resisting on Saturday, three days after the Germans burst through living on cue day's rations. Aviators last saw them bravely holding the positions, and .drooped bread upon the lines. THE TRICK THAT BROKE THE FRONT . A wounded officer, who "managed to escape'from Monte Nero, states that the appearance of the Germans at their rear was an almost overwhelming surprise. It transpires that the Germans cleverly deluded the Italians by leaving themsdves a clear passage in one small sector while they rained shells on the remainder of the front._ The bombardment was so terrific that the Italians were utterly helpless while it lasted, and could only shelter in caverns and dueouts. The gas shells were particularly effective. When the tornado ceased the mischief was already done, because during the Urumhre and amid the thick clouds of smoke and gas the Italians were unable to bDserve that the small sector on the left was not being shelled. The Germans meanwhile broke through this sector; and when the Italians prepared to meet the oncoming foe they found themselves out off at the rear.