Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-08-09
FALL Of GOR|z|A Y
IS BELIEVED NEAR.
Italians Capture Bridgehead,
Says Rome.
HELD KEY 10 STRONGHOLD
oh,eiaI Statement Says That More
Than Eight Thousand Prisoners
Have Been captured-Town BE-
Inc Swept by Shells.
HELD KEY 10 STRONGHOLD

Rome, via London, Aug. 0.The war
Office announced the capture OF the
Gorilla bridgehead by the Italians.
It is said the city Is being shelled
to drive out the Austrians and that
the fall Of the great fortress is con-
ddered immipent.
More than 5000 h<isoners and 200
officers were taken on August 6
The Gorilla bridgehead was one OF
the most important defensive positions
Of the Austrians along the Isonzo
front. It was the scene Of heavy fight
ing In the early months Of the war
when the Italians after making con-
siderable advances were finally held
mp along the Isonzo line.
Key % Austrian Front Il.
Gorilla Is % miles northwest Of
TrieN, one Of the principal detectives
Of the Italian campaign and regarded
a. the key to that position.
On Friday OF last week the Italians
opened new attack, and, although
the authorities at Rome have permit
ted but4few details to become known,
It was intimated that an important
compaign was being launched. The
ltrst notable results were obtained
Sunday when Italian troops made con-
siderable progress in the Monfalcone
sector. 4. Il \.
Gorilla Is the principal city Of the
1sonzo valley. with population OF
about $4,000.
Battle Ground Hazardous.
/ The fighting In the Gorilla sector,
which has been the scene Of the
blOodiest fighting Of the Austro-I Italian
war. has been particularly hazardous.
Troops have been forced to endure
great hardships In scaling the sides
of mountains made exceedingly dam
gerous because Of avalanches, and had
fought, in most cases, far from their
base Of supplies and in zero weather.
Heavy artillery has been pulled to
heights far above the clouds and there
the Italians have waited since the be-
ginning OF the war, for the drive on
the Gorilla defenses and an advance
toward Triest.
Artillery Shells Town.
The official statement issued by the
Italian war Office follows:
Intense artillery activity continues
In the Lagarina valley. On the Asfagol
plateau heavy enemy attack In the
Monte Zebio area was repulsed. In
the upper Cordevole valley the enemy,
after intense blnbardmeht renewed
his efforts against eour position on,
Monte Sief, but each time was re-,
pulsed With heavy loss. ssss .s;.
''On the lower Isonzo III front Of
,Gori1ia hot fighting continues. Monte
Zabotino and Monte San Michele,
strongholds Of the enemy defense, now
are completely In our possession. The
bridgehead Of Gorilla Is therefore in
our hands. Our artillery Is Smelling
the town TO drive out the enemy from
among the houses.
Prisoners Still Coming In. !.
During the fighting on the 9Th and
7th we captured more than 5000 ,pris-
Oners, including more than 200 officers,
20 OF whom were senior officers. Pris-
oners are still coming In. We also cap
tured II guns. about 100 machine guns
and much material" 4:
The announcement By the war Office
Of the Italian victory In the Monfal-
cone sector is received everywhere In
Italy with rejoicing. NJ.