Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-29
TONGUES OF FLAME
SPEAK FOR HEIGHT
But Grim Hill, Still Unoccu-
pied, Remains Bone of
Contention.
TWO ARMIES DISPUTE lT
Italians Are Once Trapped by
Germans, Using Dyna-
mite Mines.
TWO ARMIES DISPUTE IT

LONDON, April 2S.-t correspondent
writing from tho Italian front divulSes
some Interesting Information concern
ing the little-known military operations
there
He cites an instance in which the
Italian troops operating in that sector
were trapped when tho enemy destroyed
an entire hilltop by mining operations
with great quantities of dynamite
His account Of tho catastrophe is
Illuminating:
On the left wing OF the Italian front
there rises abruptly from tho marslSs
that broaden the course of tho Ccrna
River grim. prccipitous height that
has taken a large "lacc in the story
OF this winters campaign. II is known
as hill No. 1850. The Zouavcs, fight.
inG under tho orders OF General Mis-
hitch. captured its crest by an assault
OF extraordinary determination on No
vcmbcr 20.
when the Italians took over the
position they established an obscrva-
ton post there that was of great value
TO them. To prevent this use of the
crest, the Germans on February IL
launched an attack with Hamcthrowcrs,
the first use OF the kind they have
made in the Balkans.
III was just as darkness fell that
tongues OF fire and dense clouds Of
black smoke lcaped suddenly from the
German front line. The burning LIQUID
ran down the steep incline of the Italian
trenches. The failing light made it
difficult in the confusion TO distinguish
friend and foe. and tho Germans were
able. in consequence. TO capture the
Italian positions on tho summit of
la
the slope on the other side, until They
were occupied by reserve company
ITALIAN COMMANDMENT is
ANSWERED. ny GERMANS
Soon after the Italians were ready
for another effort. At $40 p. M. tho
bombardmcnt of the hill began. and
lasted two hours, vigorously answered
by the Germans. Then the Italian in
fantry. in two columns. were sent for
ward To attack. The riSht-hand
column made. straight for the summit,
and the other advanced along the SLOPE
to the west of ii. The mountainsidc
is SO steep that. until the attackers
were close 10 the parapct, rocks gave
them cover. The Italians threw their
bombs and followed them up with
bayonct charge that drove the Ger
mans from all their trenches on the
ridge.
Some of the rght-hand column even
pushed 700 yards down the further side
OF hill No. 1850.
while the rest were rcorsanizinE
the captured trenches on the summit,
the secret OF the Germans labors there
since February - was revealed. A
! couple of days before the attack. an
was looking up at the formidable hill.
AN Italian officer had said: They may
he driving mine there
1T was risls that had to be taken.
in planning the attack, and that Is
what actually had happened. While
the Italians were consolidating the
hilltop, the Germans blew their mine,
demolshinG the trenches so that they
were incapable OF defense. and fol-
lowed up the explosion by batterins
The crest with artillery.
The Italians were Obliged 10 fall
back some way down the slope. bring
ing with them seventy-onc German
prisoners. But, though the crest was
evacuated, the enemy could not re-
occupy II, and it remains disputed
ridge between the lines"