Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-05-28
Austrian AeropIane Is Brought
Down at Second Shot From
Field Battery, Says Core
SpOndent,
DEFENDERS BLOW UP
BRIDGES BEFORE INVADERS
Every Possible Obstruction Is
Placed 10 Impede Advance
Toward Trieste, First OBJ
jective Point,

AZ the Italian Front, F'rlulli We'd
nesday. May 26 (via Paris, May 27D
Italian gunners today brought down
an Austrian aeroplane In the first CON
test of the Italian campaign between
flying machines and anti-air craft
guns. An -aeroplane rising from be-
hind the Austrian lines at 9;30 this
morning darted over the rocky ground
In front of the Italian positions. A
field battery opened fire as II came
within range The first shot missed
The second struck fairly, causing
flames TO burst from the motor. The
acroplane plunged downward and was
splinterod on the rocks.
This was one OF the incidents at
tending the opening Of the Austro-
italian campaign as witnessed by
correspondent Of the Associated Press.
Along this part of the front whore the
Italians are advancing Ia the direc.
ton Of Trieste, there we're stirring
scenes, although as yet there has been
little heavy fighting.
Views Picturesque Field.
The correspondent was pefmitted 10
20 close enough 10 thet trout 90 obtain
a panoramic view OF the section OF
the fighting line. Visits to Santan-
drat, HalmanOva and other towns near
the border furnished q good idea of
the conditions under which the italian
invasion of Austria is being carried
on. At Palmanova Il WAS possible TO
obtain bird's-eye view of the sur
rounding country which falls away
from that point The people of the
village were watching the spectacle of
cavalry charges and artillery action
over the nearby front Il is pic
turesque region Of green hills and
quaint villages. among which wind
dusty white roads.
When the order was given earlier in
the week for the advance across the
border, the Italian troops were in
readiness for the move. The com
mand came at 2ssO O'clock In the
morning and half an hour later the
soldiers were on the march. The In
tantry proceeded IN long files, headed
by sharpshooters. From converging
roads came artillery carriages, motor
trucks and detachmenta Of cavalry.
How First Shot Was Fired
The first shot of the war was fired
by a frontier guard at Bcllacqua
which, having seen In the semi-dark-
ness shadowy figure approaching.
shot dead an Austrian soldier who
was attempting TO fire a mine. With
the sunrise artillery fire opened from
the direction Of Cividale Italian
troops everywhere spran8 to the at
tack, fording the lldria, swarming
across bridges and climbing the hills
beyond
From time to time, tremendous ex-
ploslons were heard above the roar
Of artillery They marked the firing
of mines, by which the Austrians
were blowing up their bridges as they
fell back. The Austrians made little
10 halt the Italians advance,
although elaborate preparations had
been made along the border. Rail-
way lines were Obstructed by heavy
beams laid across the track and fast
ened down with chains. The roads
were blocked with trenches. trees and
wire entanglements.
First Village Captured
l3razano IS the first village On AUS
tran soil in which the Italian flag
was flown. II was run up on the
belfry OF the village church.
\ San Giovanni Mazano. the cor
respondent saw the first Of the Itai-
ian wounded and also the first Aus
tran prisoner captured. member OF
the landsturm from Friuli. AS he was
brought into the Italian lines he kept
repeating; II am an italian"
All along ihis section OF the front
there were signs OF war. Roads were
filled with long lines OF transports
and l}ed Cross automobiles. Every
whore battalons Of soldiers we're to
be seen. held back as yet from the
fighting line. Picking their way
through the crowded roads were carts.
drawn by oxen, in which were women
and children, with their household
goods, Behind them walked the men.
fleeing from the battle-swept region