FORTS MADE OF ICE.

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3337, 5 September 1917, Page 1

FORTS MADE OF ICE.

WHAT THE ITALIANS STORMED. The modest oificial report oi' the storming of the strong Austrian position of Corno Cavento (E. Trentino) conveys no idea of the difficulties overcome by the brave Italian Alpinists (writes Mr Hamilton Fyfe). It is hard to realise when in full enjoyment of summer that in the high mountains the conditions are still those of winter. This fight took placo at a height of well over 10,000 ft. The fact that the troops approached the enemy forts on skis shows we are in .the region of eternal snows. The Austrian forts were actually built of solid ice, in some places with walls 18ft thick. Such conditions of warfare sound fantastic, but are common enough on this front. The Italian troops are dressed from head to foot in white, so as not to attract attention; even their boots are whitened. I have seen both Rusians and Germans wearing white cloaks on tne eastern front during the depths of winter, but never anything of the kind so complete, so useful as this "piotective colouring" of the Italian at my. This and the vigorous attack which was delivered when within striking range of the enemy gave them complete victory. The Anstrians taken by surprise, fled down hill, leaving everything behind, guns, munitions, stores, provisions. All foil into tfio hands of the attackers, who also gained a good position;, allowing them to overlook the Austrians instead of I being themselves overlooked.