ANOTHER THRILLING ACCOUNT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1014, 6 November 1917, Page 5

ANOTHER THRILL ING ACCOUNT.

TERRITORY SACRIFICED TO SAVE THIRD ARMY. Australian-New Zealand Cable Associr±?on. LONDON, Nov. 5. Mr Ward Price writes: The threat ■ Aus-tro-Germ an attack on the Italian .front began at two in the morning of the. 24th. From the bridgehead at Santa Lucita towards Plczzo a violent bombardment! continued for two hours, with special* gas shells, obliging the Italians to talre cover. Fog and rain helped the enemy to advance secretly. ITALIANS OFF THEIR G CARD. When the bombardment stopped at four o’clock the Italians believed it was a lull, ns it seemed an inadequate preparation for a big attack. Tho Italians ware therefore not on their guard when suddenly they saw tho enemy storming forward. Next, day they discovered that German divisions were concentrated between Plczzo and Gorizia. Some Italian battalions had left their posts and Hod without arms or equipment, though others fought gallantly at Monte Nero and elsewhere, but they wore undermined by the section of the Italian wall, of defence which had given way. The enemy was through, and once across thei Isonzo the Austro-Gcrmans began to pour down the valley towards Gividule and Udine. On Saturday morning it, was clear (hat Udine was doomed and that an immense sacrifice of territory must be maHc in order to save tho third armv. VIVID SCENES.

“As I crossed the Isonzo,” continues the" narrative, “I found the Italian engineers, ready to blow up tho bridge. The roadsworo blocked with carts, motor lorries, and pack animals, Though, fortunately, the. road was not shelled, tho night scones during the retreat resembled Gustavo Doro’s. conception of tho Day of Judgment.. Houses, sheds, depots and stores of every kind crackled into flames. Tho sky was. ablaze with tho reflected glare.

The town of Palmanova was accidentally burnt by the flames from burning: dumps. In 31 hours my train covered 15 miles, so 1 got out and walked. On either side of the train plodded an endless stream of soldiers and fleeing townspeople and peasantry. The retreat continued for four day/,. Many died, but hundreds of thousands got behind the Tagliamento somehow. I'Too'Jod rivers, marshy districts and torrential bains prevented the Austro-Germans from closely pursuing.