Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-10-27

fhe inactive Russian armies, had been
sent to this front. At the same time
the German general staff had awak-
oned to the possibilities of the Italian
front and FOR the first time Branden-
burg troops were identified along this
nearby front. and shells from large
caliber German guns were Calling for
the first ,lme from the enemy posi-
ton on Monte san Gabrielle ami
around Monte Rosso.
This with the fury OF the German
fire made II evident that the enemy
would seek to regain the vast Balm
sizza plateau which the Italians re-
Gently took with 10000 prisoners, as
the Italian strip on the plateau opened
the way for them to sweep over the
ca 10 rso range back of Trieste and thus
threaten the Austrian defense OF
Trieste.
Numbers Triplcd.
1t was therefore to protect Trieste
and force back the Italians to the old
line of the Isonzo river that the enemy
forces were tripled, and Rranden-
burgers, Saxons, Bavarlans and others
were added to the Austrian forces.
and the opening stages of the often
SlNe were ueVelOpeO To-Day.
The city of Gorilla was entered over
a bridge which Italian engineers had
thrown across the Isonzo. The mas
sive old stone bridge was out of serv-
ice, with one of its stately arches
blown 10 pieces. The iron railroad
bridge further along had been entire
ly destroyed by artillery fire. The big
paper mills along the river front were
mass OF ruins. and lines of Jagged
walls. with gaping windows, extended
for miles along the river.
Entering Gorilla, the city presented
an aspect of ruin and desolation, with
crash OF falling walls every now and
then adding to the area of destruc-
tion. Within five minutes the CORES
pondent counted five large churches,
including the imposing cathedral,
which had been reduced to n mass OF
ruins. The roof of the cathedral had
fallen in from a succession OF she'll
holes, and the high altar could be seen
above the tumbling side walls. The
chief hotel Of the city had been blotted
out of existence by two large calibre
shells. What Is left of one of the
principal buildings is now used for an
emergency fire department to prevent
further destruction.
Shell Strikes Castle.
Going to the top of the castle dom
mating the city, the correspondent had
a splendid view of the vast field Of the
present operations. Immediately in
front was Monte San Michael, held by
the italians. and to the left Monte San
Gabrielle. where the Italians are Of
one side. with the Austrians still cling
Ing to the top of the other side. The
dividing lines between the two forces
were clearly discernible froN the ter
rifle crashing of guns on both fronts.
The artillery action could be seen
Emly extending over the coveted pla-
teau of BainsizZa and northward 70
Monte Rosso, where 1t later was
learned heavy infantry actions fol-
lowed the artillery preparations.
Observations from the top Of the
castle were brought to n sudden halt
by the deafening roar Of heavy gun,
followed by the whirr of a big missile
headed straight for the rampant.
lnstinctively everyone recoiled but
1t was too late. The big projectlle
struck not Is feet away, tearing
thru the stone walls and wrecking the
observation post which the party had
just left All went over like a row of
bricks and lay stunned undes noun
tains of mortar. dirt and stone.