The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-06-26
WITHDRAWAL OF
AUSTRIAN ARMY
IS DESCRIBED BY
CORRESPONDENT
Soldiers Leaped Into River
Under Terrible Fire
of Italians
(By Associated Press.)

Rome, June 26-Italian troops on
the southern part of the PiaVe front
have not only completely reoecupied
the Capo siIe bridgehead, but have
extended it and held the gain against
Austrian counter attacks. The e%"
tension was effected yesterday. Dur.
ing the fighting nearly 400 prisoners
were taken. The war Office made this
announcement today.
The statement reads
Yesterday our troops, having com.
pleteiy reoccupied the bridgehead OF
Capo SiIe, extended it. provoking and
firmly sustaining resolute counter at"
tacks by numerous. enemy forces
Eiaht officers and 81 Of other ranks
were captured.
ION the remainder of the front
there were artillery duels of not very
great intensity and activity by small
parties.
"Between Mori and Loppio one Of
our assault patrols surprised and de-
stroyed an enemy advanced position
capturing the survivors.
"Our flyers dropped several tons
Of bombs on enemy ammunition
dumps"
Italian Army Headquarters, Tues
day, June 25-Under the fire Of
Italian machine guns and artillery,
the Austrian withdrawal across the
Piave soon became a disorderly rout
1t is estimated the Austrian losses
total more than 100000.
It was a terrible sight as the mad
dened Austrians fled under the del
uge Of Italian bullets and shells.
They leaped into the river and grab
bed pieces Of wood or anything that
would aid them; they tied them
selves to mules and horses, but their
efforts were in vain, for as the
enemy troops reached the opposite
bank they were again caught by the
fire Of the Italian guns.
On the Montello the slaughter was
terrific. Bodies Of Austrian troops
were moved down almost in their
entirety. At the crossing, at Ner-
vesa both banks Of the river were
strewn with dead and dying, while
hundreds Of bodies were carried
down in the current to the sea.
At one place the correspondent
counted 300 bodies I while walking
a. distance of half a mile. One regt-
ment Of covering troops, which orig
inally was composed Of more than
2, 900 men, had left Monday but 80
men to the company and these were
Along the lower Piave the Aus
trians found themselves, IL possible
In q worse position and sustained
heavier losses.
How IL Started.
A single episode shows how and
why the retreat started.
On Saturday the Austrian COM
mand sent the 91st SChuetZen brt-
gade, composed Of regiments num-
bers 81 and 80. with orders to widen
the Austrian breach at Lampol and
to do this at all hazards. The bri-
gade attempted to carry out this
order and fought like wild men but
the Italian pressure was so terrific
that they were unable to accom-
plish their object. which was to sue
cor the Austrian divisions already
surrounded in this section.
After six attacks, which continued
Saturday night and Sunday morning,
afternoon, only 90 men Of this bri-
gade. The others were either pr!s-
oners, wounded or dead.
The commanding officer then COM
mitted suicide and the 80 sur
rendered.
In fleeing, the Austnans left be-
hind them much war material. The
enemy troops even threw away their
rifles and deserted hundreds Of ma
chine guns, which were to have been
used to protect the retirement.
Had 100000 on West, Bank.
It Is estimated that the number Of
Austr1ans on the western bank of
the Piave when the retreat began,
was over. 100000. This great num-
Der of men, however could do moth
ing against the Italian pressure de-
spite continuous counter attacks.
The italian statement in the past
week has, frequently emphasized the
cruel losses, inflicted on the Aus