Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-11-02

what remained of what the CORE
spondent saw there just q week ago
today was further reduced to a mass
of debris. One Of the main bridges
from Gorilla across the Isonzo was
enemy movement thus was further
impeded.
West of Gorilla the town Of
Commons also was shelled heavi-
ly. The great German guns lit
CARLY tore the town to pieces.
As depots and arsenals were
blown up the whole sky was
lighted with a rcd glare and
dense masses of smoke formed in
an enormous pail. Added to the
fearful din of heavy shell fire on
front and flank was the. -cOntinu-
GUS explosion OF powder supplies
as the Italians slowly fell back,
screened by q rear guard Of a
Bersagiieri brigade, which threw
up hasty breastWOrks and con-
tested every foot of the way.
This permitted much of the heavy
artillery and munition supplies to be
withdrawn. but it was a prodigious
task in the face Of such odds and
over such steep %inclines. Some of
the gdnners hastily inprovised der
ricks out of ~ and hoisted and
dragged the guns by hand from the
advance line.
increase Bombardment.
The heaviest pressure began to be
felt on the Carso front Friday. The
then increased their bonn
bardment to deafening intensity and
supplemented this with huge volumes
Of poison gas and e shells. The
humid air and q light wind permitted
great wave of the deadly gases to
creep low toward the Italian lines,
the real guards protecting themselves
with masks and by hiding in caverns.
Not only -ts he matnEb body n
Italian army intact, after having
dealt several blows to the enemy. but
it is now apparent that the Italians
have thwarted the Austro- German
plan Of encompassing the third army
on the Carso. thereby cutting off the
flower of the forces in this region,
rendering the Venetian plains de-
fenseless and encouraging the hope
of the enemy for a decisive victory
with far-reaching political results.
The safe retirement to he Tag
liamento vas due to the unexam.
pied heroism Of large bodies OF
italians of such spirit as the AL
pini on Monte Nero, who refused
to surrender. and the regiments
Of Bhrsaelieri, at Monte Maggiore,
which persisted to the last mar
rather than yield ground. 1t was
because of such resistance in the
face Of Overwhelming forces OF
encmN artillery and infantry that
the civil population was able to
retire. 1t was owing to the valor
the Austro-GeTman army OF the
air. that fleeing womerk children
and old men who crowded the
roads were not struck down by
bursting bombs,
The spirit Of the army nov confront
ing the enemy is excellent. The troops
are determined to expel the invaders
from italian soil.
Fall Back Slowly. u
Amid the onslaught Of overwhelm-
ing masses the Italians fell back
slowly. The correspondent, who was
fortunate enough to obtain a place in
remaining Al the front until Saturday,
was able to observe the enormous
movement westward. All the roads
were packed with dense traffic, with
four or nve lines abreast Of teams,
automobile trucks, pack mules, artil-
lery wagons and OK carts: The soldiers
marched Or rode. singly. in groups, in
regiments, in brigades or in divisions.
1t was . scene such as the
world a seldom witnessed. Even
fields and by-roads were utilized
for the colossal migration. 1t is
not surprising that some cOnges-
< nOn occurred and the only WON
der Is that the great army has
been able to withdraw 1t all and
establish itself along the now line
OF defense. +
Many heartrending scenes were
witnessed along the route. as the tor
rental rain and the mud Increased the
misery Of the moving multitude. Food
was arc and many went without
for days. The military hospitals were
evacuated. togetf1er with all ether es-
Establishments, ana pale and wounded
patients were Obliged to Join In the
rear guard march or fall into the
hands of the enemy. The road ways
were strewn with dead horses. Traffic
moved by night and day, often block
ed Tor long intervals by the breaking
down OF some enormous artille-y
trucks.
But abovs All stands tou: the ssalient
fact that the italian army 10 on it6
feet, the broken AstachMsnts are. fes
forming and the whole array is swing
.ns into af,other line heso.e tie inyad.
fE9 e., my.
TEN FIANIB BROUGlT DOWN.
Rarh Mo- AAEsa GekEA 90
.lAF49 54NEFtEEEs