Arizona republican., 1915-05-28
An Austrian Aeroplane is Brought Down by Sec ond Shot from Italian Field Battery When At tempting to Attack
LIGHT RESISTANCE
 TO TRIESTE ADVANCE
After Making Elaborate Preparations, Austrians Fall Back, Blowing Up Bridges and Blocking the Railway Lines
ASSOCIATED PRESS D1spArcHJ

AT ITALIAN FRONT, Friuli. May 27.-Italian gunners brought down an Austrian aeroplane in the first con test in the Italian campaign bet ween flying machines and anti-air craft guns An aerOplane, arising from behind the Austrian lines, dar- ted over the rocky ground in front of the Italian positions. A field bat tery opened fire as it came within range. The first shot missed. The second struck fairly, causing flames to burst from the motor. The aero plane plunged downward and was splintered on the rocks. This was one of the incidents attending the opening of the AustrO-Italian cam paigHs as witnessed by a cOrrespon- dent of the Associated Press. Along this part of the front where tho Italians are advancing in the direc- tion of Trieste, there are stirring scenes although as yet there is little heavy fighting.
 The first shot of the war was fired by a frontier guard at Bellac- qua, who having seen in the semi darkness a shadowy figure approach ing shot dead an Austrian soldier attempting to fire a mine. With sunrise artillery fire opened from the direction of Cividale. Italian troops everywhere sprang to the at tack fording the Idria, swarming across the bridges and climbing the hills beyond.
 The correspondent was permitted to go close enough to the front tn obtain a panoramic view of q sec tion of the fighting line. Visits to Dol ly,,a oil towns near the border furnished a good idea of the conditions under which the Italian invasion of Aus tria is being carried on. At Palma nova it was possible to obtain ., birds eye view of the surrounding country, which falls away from that point The people of the village were watching the spectacle of cav airy charges and artillery action over the nearby front.
 It is 8 picturesque region of green hills and quaint vhiages, among which wind dusty white roads.
 When the order was given earlier in the week to advance across the border, the Italian troops were in readiness for the move. The com mand came at 2:30 o'clock in the morning and a half hour later the soldiers were on the march. The infantry proceeded in long files. headed by sharpshooters. From converging roads came artillery car riages, motor trucks and detach- ments of cavalry.
 From time to time tremendous eN- plosions were heard above the roar of the artillery. They marked the firing of mines by which the Aus trians were blowing up bridges as they fell back. The Austrians made little attempt to halt the Italians advance although elaborate prepara- tions had been made along the border. The railway lines were obstructed with heavy beams laid across the track and fastened down with chains. The roads were blocked by trenches, trees <nd wire entanglements.
 Brazsano was the first village on Austrian soil in which the Italian flag was flown. It was run up on the belfry of the village church.
 At San Giovanni Mazeno. the cor respondent saw the first Italian wounded, and also the first Austrian prisoner captured, q member of the Landsturm from Friuli. As he was brought into the Italian lines he kept repeating: "I am an Italian"
 All along this section of the front there were signs of war The roads were filled with long lines of trans
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