The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1917-11-02
MADE MASTERLY RETREAT AMID TORREN77AL 81

nent OF the main front and rear
guard, which can only be sketched in
the broadcast outlines, some sections
Iustained shocks of exceptional in
iensity. The commanding height Of
Monte Nero, which the Italians had
occupied after deeds of great valor.
vas defended against onslauEhts
rom three sides. which gradually de-
Seloped 10 development.
Added to this was the suddenness
u tho surprise blow from the north.
which developed into n turning nro
before the southern armies and also
On their extreme nank, gradually eI-
tending to their rear. II was TO eS-
trlcate the troops from this situation
that the retirement began oil along
the extended advanced position oc-
supied by the italian army within
Austrian territory.
This line stretched roughly from
Plexzo (Flitsch). far in the north,
,outheastward through Gorizia 20
Monfaicone on the Adriatic. The
Second Army occupied most OF the
front above Gorilla, the Third Army
that below Gorilla.
ARsENALs, POWDER DEPoTe
AND BRIDGES BLOWN UP.
The retirement was accompanied by
shieidinE operations OF the rear
EuArd. which poured a deadly fire into
the advancing columns and Rt the
...-. A.. a..,xoxoA rnwdar danota
arsenais and bridges with the double
purpose OF giving time for the with
drawal OF the italian heavy guns and
OF preventing military stores falling
into the hands OF the enemy.
Tho Germans encountered stubborn
and heaps OF enemy dead mark the
unes OF their advanos. Around Globe
Ridge a Bersaglieri brigade. outnum-
bered five TO one. held back the enemy
while the main line had an opportunity
TO get their retreat In motion.
In one OF the mountain passes a
small village commanding the pass ws'
taken and retaken eight times during
desperate artillery. infantry and hand.
to-hand fghting.
Gorizia was shelled heavily, and
what remained of what the CORE.
spondent saw there Just a week ag,
to-day was further reduced TO a mass
OF debris. One OF the main bridgeI
from Gorilla across the Isonzo wa,
blown up by the Italians. and tn,
enemy movement thus was further
impeded.
To the west OF Gorizia the town o
Cormons also was shelled heavily
The great German guns opened enor.
nous craters and literally tore tn,
town TO pieces.
As depots and arsenals we're blown
up the whole sky was lighted with a
red glare and dense masses OF smoke
formed In an enormous pail like the
approach OF an equlnoctial cyclone
Added TO the fearful din and heavy
shell fire on front and flank was tn,
continuous explosion OF powder sup,
plies as the Italians slowly fell back
screened by rearguard OF a Bersa
glieri brigade. who threw up hast,
breastworts and contested every foo
OF the way.
This permitted much OF the heav,
artillery and munition supplies to b,
withdrawn, but II was a rodlgiouI
task in the face OF much odds anC
over such steep inclinos Some o.
the gunners hastily improvised der.
ricks out OF ropes and hoists anC
dragged the guns by hand from tn,
advance line.
HOW ITALIANS FELL BACK BE.
FORE GREAT FORCES.
Amid the onslaught OF overwhelm.
ing masses the Italians fell bacl
slowly. The correspondent who wa,
fnrinnaIa nnnnuh in nhinIn .nlnn.