The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-11-02
MASTERLY RETREAT
OF ITALIAN ARMY

: MASTERLY RETREAT
OF ITALIAN ARMY
Continued from page ID
on both sides of them the usual pre-
paratory artillery fire was still pound
ing away and there had been no
change to a barrage curtain. Thus
catching the Italians by surprise, the
initial wave of the German advance
penetrated General Cadornas line
and started the great sweep forward.
The tremendous German artillery
fire continued without abatement as
Cadorna strove to send reinforce
ments to repair the break. 1t must
have done terrible execution in the
ranks of troops sent up to head on
the Germans and Austrians.
/ With break made in the line, the
rest was comparatively easy for the
invaders. Their preponderance in
guns and men and the advantage of,
flanking attack position forced Ca
dorna to speed his retirement.
| Rome dispatches indicated that de-
/ spite this overwhelming initial de-
feat-a defeat for which he was
| hardly blamable on account Of the
enemy's superiority in artillery
Cadorna had executed a mastery
stroke in the Italian retirement. Con-
sidering the vast force which the
Italian commander had to move back,
his losses have not been excessive.
But what is more encouraging was
the spirit and morale of his men
which apparently has not been
din1med by the disaster which over
took them.
First Word Of Fighting.
ROME, Nov. 2.-First word Of the
fighting along the Tagliamento river
line was given in today's official
statement as follows:
Along the Tagliamento there was
reciprocal artillerying Enemy pat
rolls advancing along the bank were
repulsed in gun fire."
King is at Front.
ROME, Nov. liking Emanuele
and Premier Orlando are at the
front, 1t was announced today.
Unparalleled Heroism.
| [By John H. Hearley. United Press
| Staff Correspondent
IbomT<, NV G.-WlluuIdWdl VI
General Cadorna's third army prac-
/ tically intact, was accomplished by
unparalleled heroism of Italy's dog
ged fighting men.
/ Enough OF this story of valor, un-
| faltering courage and supreme sac
rifice-even to death-of the Italian
defenders, reached here this after
noon to arouse the whole capital to
a throb of patriotic pride and to
make the conviction certain that
Italy's men would stem the tide of
! invasion.
| Withdrawal of the third army was
| in itself a strategic feat not ap-
preached in any of the wars man
| euyers. Practically encircled by the
German-Austrian forces, the men
| fighting hour after hour and day
after day without complaint and en-
during an overwhelming superiority
| in arms and men at disposal OF the
| German command, in heroic resist
ance
Infantry, cavalry, aeroplane corps
and motorcycle detachments mag
nificently faced the great masses Of
Austro-German troops. fought them
to a standstill. delaying the advance
/ inch by inch until the main body of
the third army could withdraw to pre-
arranged positions.
"A certain section of the second
army held the Isonzo heights at
time when the approaches were lit
orally alive with the enemy When
the pressure got too tremendous,
detachm ents of the Italian soldiers
volunteered to rush forward to their
death, knowing their bodies and the
shock of a charge from men determ-
ined to die in defense of their coun.
try, would temporarily slow UP the
enemy's progress and permit many
more Italian soldiers to escape.
Fed by Aviators.
LONDON, Nov. 2.-One lone italian
post on Monte Nero, cut off by the
sweep OF Won Mackensen's armies
from the remainder of General Cad
orna's army, held out three long days
against the invaders and then only
gave up because ammunition ran out.
During these three days Italian
aviators circling at the risk of their
lives in the hail of German artillery
over the positions, dropped bread
and other food to the courageous
garrison.
The incident was vouched for in
authentic dispatches received here
today. The same advices emphasized
the bravery of the whole Italian army
in retreat. There were numerous
instances where artilierymen, lack
ing horses, nevertheless dragged
their guns by hand for miles rather
than abandon them to the enemy.