Omaha daily bee., 1918-05-23

OmCef ana Two sailors.
ARRIVES IN DARK. I
The party was escorted by destroy
ers and arrived at Pola at 2 o'clock
in the porn;ng. 1t was very dark and
the moon had been down two hours.
A light wind blew off shore, which
prevented the sounds of preparation
going landward. The entrance to the
channel was 400 yards across, with
long neck leading into the great har-
Dor, in which lay Austria's feet Of
Lattlesilips. cruisers and destroyers
cncircled by frewning terrace of
land batteries. In the obscurity the
guardship at the entrance was dimly
visible swung to one side, the guards
apparently asleep. There was a COM
plete lack of watchfulness. ,,.}
Final preparation now was made for
dash in the darkness. Commander
Pellegrini and his companions put on
rubber suits which could be inflated
The plan was to discharge torpedoes
at the big ship, then blow up their
own craft, jump overheard and await
capture or drowning. All realized that
there was practically no chance Of re-
turning alive. } ,. .-.
Risks Lite Coolly. - ..s,--
Commander Pellegrini was per-
fectly cool as he bade goodbye, his
superior saying, "You are putting
your head in the lions mouth" -
Now they encountered three sue
cessiye lines of defense, first guard
ship, then a line of wooden buoys
marking chain of mines and then
heavy steel net strung from bank
to bank. How they were able to
penetrate these distractions must re-
maj faIlystery, particularly as to the
steel net which was apparently an
impossible barrier.
The escort waited almost an hour
when the silence was suddenly brok-
en- by two distinct explosions of tor
pedoes, followed by the sound of an
alarm gun in the inner harbor.
Sends Prearranged Signals.
Soon after, two signals of parti-
colored lights slowly rose from the
center of the harbor, showing that
Commander Pellegrini had penetrat-
ed to the very heart of the fleet and
was sending signals from the midst
of it.
The first signal meant "Have tor
.pedoed battleship," and the second
said Don't mind us; we have no
chance" ., na-.-.----.. -...-- -.
This last signal was the agreed
emergency sign which was to be sent
up IN case there was no opportunity
te give help. 1t issbelieved that they
blew UP their craft and took to the
water in accordance with the pro-
gram as an explosive time bomb had
been set to go off even if the craft
was under water. -,
Meanwhile, the sky was vivid with
searchlights and the land batteries
were pouring a terrific fire on the
escort. They clung to their work
for a time and then left. with DO
searchlights and countless batteries
playing upon them.
No Word From Party.
As daylight broke. fleet of enemy
airplanes swooped down. but was
beaten off by smaller fleet of Ital.
ian planes, three enemy machines fall.
ing into the water during the aeria
battle.
No word has since been heard o1
Commander Pellegrini and his party
Their, signal was definite that shil
had been hit and aerial photographs
are expected soon to confirm theil
message. There is every reason tc
believe that the four men are prison
ers. In any event. their associate:
and the country greet the fearles.
band as heroes who have reflected
lasting glory on the skill and daring
of the Italian navy.