Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1918-09-20


neial dispatch announcing the award
by the Italian government Of us Sll
YER medal for vaIor. virtually the high
e., military recognition that can come
10 an Italian soldier. r. one OF the
most thrilling and romantic episodes
Of the entire war: one which, In fact,
may be said to have had distinct
and definite bearing upon the success
Of the Italian arms.
The cable message announcing the
award. and which was published In
Americn Il few days ago. read
Awarded 10 First Lieut.. The later
received his captnIncy) francesca
Mario Gunrdabassi OF Perugia, while
on the staff Of the commander Of divi-
sion. Energetic co-operator OF the
| high command OF the division. First
Lieutenant Gnardabassl gave an adj
mlrable proof OF determination. energy
and bravery in very difficult cireum-
stance during the drive from the Car
40 10 the Piave. firmly checking n sud
den and threntcnlne panic aroused
among the troops. Carso-TaR iiamento,
Bridge Of Letisana. 20 October, 1917
Captain Chen first lieutenant)
uuar.iabassI. by his action. prevented
the Italian retreat from the Carso 10
the Piave from becoming dIsorderly
rout and transformed II into an or
derby retirement. which enabled the
italian forces TO reform and 10 make
their position on the Piaye lmpregne-
Bile. II was Captain Guardabassi who.
standing virtually nlone on the bridge
head OF Latlsana. inspired the troops
OF the Third army 10 hold their ground
when overwhelmed with fear and
panic.
ie Here on Special Mission.
Captain Guardahassl. who at the |
time was nld.de-camp OF General Pc |
tlllo. divisional commander Ia the |
Third army Of Italy, In the last few |
months has become a familiar figure
Ia New York, Following his achieve !
ments on the Tagliamento he was
called 20 Rome and because OF his
wide knowledge OF America and Amer
leans. was sent TO the United States
on special mission from the Italian
government. Captain Guardabassi
was persuaded to tell the story OF how
he won the decoration. II * best told
In hls own words;
You can imagine the spirit Of our
army last October" said he. "whea
our generals OF the Third army an
nnunced that we were to fall back.
We had worked 80 hard To establish
our line ON the Tagllamento. and we
were so proud Now the orders came
that we were 20 get beck on the Pr
ave. There were no finer fellows In
the world than In the Third army. but
q wave OF encouragement swept
through the ranks. Were we to be
beaten1
THE Pave Tine was stronger--it
was our natural line. There we could
hold OF the kustrians coming down
from the north and prevent their
breaking into the Italian plains. II
was only 40 miles back yet our army,
none OF us. could realize this. IL was
q RETREAT And II became more and
more difficult to keep up the soldiers
morale. "a bold them together.
~Ths Third army numbered 100000.
Il was reduced during the campaign
from 10000 to 10000. but that was It's
size when the retrea; was ordered.
There were complications In the re-
treat. for down from the northwest
began &c cone defachmenss from the
Second army. mingisng with our men.
tending TO produce disorder
Rain Makes Retreat Diffcult.
= shall never forget how II rained
during those days The Carso- TaxlIa-
rnento region Is marshy cocntry.
Where we were WIS not far from the
sea. In the retreat We had 70 keep 10
he roads This made cur falling back
sil the harder
Il coald ne~er have done what had
70 % had II not been for my general.
Cenersl Petilio and the fact thaf 7
was his aid-de-csm9. Remember
rhsf. besides the hgrrfe1ly Fefreating
soldiers pouring along the roads ~
e-ywhere. cIshearrene6 and fearful. the
eoEafry people By thousands we're re-
treating Eokofy knew what might
happen. The feeling was growing fhsf
the war WAS Bosr That we would soon
make new stand and brilliant one
siong The Plsye ami iafer retrieve ev-
sr5tiliae pohosiy realized You Duld
act has- tps5 rheEn that