A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1929, Page 6

A WAR STORY

THE 2nd GORDON HIGHLANDERS

AT VITTORIO VENETO

Grave di Papodopoli, the large island in the Piave River, having been cleared of the enemy, a pontoon bridge was constructed from Salettuol to the island on October 26, 1918. The main attack which was to carry the Austrian defences on the farther bank and resulted in the final defeat of Austria could therefore be launched next morn-

The 2nd Gordon Higl binders were on the right of the British line next to Italian troops. After dark on the evening of the r 26th the battalion crossed the bridge and assembled for the attack. Heavy Tain fell at 3 a.m. next morning, wetting everyone to the skin

At about half past five the Gordons crept down to the far edge of the island and when our barrage fell at 6.45. a.m. they advanced through thb shallow dhannels towards the opposite bank of the river.. The last stream ran .swiftly and was waist deep; beyond was a stretch of scrub covered ground, with wire and trenches, backed by a steep embankment or “bund” 10ft high.

The -wading Highlanders, some with linked arms, came under heavy fire, but two of their Lewis guns were brought promptly into action with, good effect. Neither machine guns nor snipers could stop the onset of the . battalion which routed out the foremost Austrians in the trenches near the river edge. . There was heavier fighting when the advance continued through cultivated enclosed country where bursts of mac-hine-gun burets came through from the fortified houses.

The Lewis guns of the Gordons replied while parties of, the- battalion outflanked and compelled the' surrender of these buildings. So eager were tlie men that several times they ran into our barrage and suffered accordingly. By evening the Gordons, assisted by the Bth Devonshire Regiment, had advanced nearly two miles beyond the river. Among their captures were four field howitzers and about 50 machine guns, and the prisoners approach ed a thousand in number. The battalion lost Ifewer than 80 of all ranks but its commander was among the killed.