Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-06-26
WALHALLA. SOUTH CAROLINA.
THE TIDE OF BATTLE TURNS
On Italian FrOnt-U. S. Airmcn in
Fighting There.

trians in their efforts to extend their
front on the Montello plateau, the
keynote Of the Italian defense on the
Piave river.
Of1cial announcement is made at
Rome that the Austrians were de-
feated In a drive yesterday on the
northeastern sector Of the plateau,
and that only on the south were
they able to make any progress what
ever. The enemy was able to cross
the Montebelluna-Susega railway
at several points near Nervesa sta
tion, but even at this point was
promptly stopped.
American aviators are now actively
engaged on the Piave front. 1t was
announced early in the week that
they were on their way to the battle
area. and 1t Is reported they have
featured their arrival by participat-
ing In bombing expedition against
the bridges the Austrians have flung
across the river. They were success
full In damaging a bridge and their
work satisfied the commander of the
Italian aerial forces under whom they
are fighting.
Raiding operations are reported on
the British front, while the French
front to the southwest Of Soissons.
Grave Events Near.
Paris, June 21.-Grave events are
impending on the British front, ac-
cording to military experts, who see
In the intensity of the German can
nonade at various points the prelimi-
nary steps of new German attack.
1t is pointed out that the fourth
army group, under Crown Prince
Rupprecht, of Bavaria, has had leis-
ure for reorganization during the
three weeks since it was engaged in
battle, and now Is ready for new ef-
fort along the front.
Italians Balk Austrians.
Rome, June 21.-The efforts of
the Austrians to widen the northeast-
ern salient on the Monteilo, the key
stone Of the Piave front toward the
west, have failed, Premier Orlando
informed Parliament.
Toward the south, the premier
stated, the enemy again succeeded in
crossing the Montebelluna-Sus
railway at several points near the
Nervesa station, but was promptly
stopped. On the lower Piave the Ital-
ians gained more ground.
The enemy losses during the day
were enormous, the premier added.
prisoners.
U. S. AviatOrs Fighting for Italy.
Italian Headquarters, June 21.-
The first American aviators to fly on
the Italian front went Thursday on
bombing expedition and succeeded
In blowing two holes in a new Aus
trian bridge across the Piaye river.
The commander of the italian avi-
alton camp expressed satisfaction
with the work of the Americans. The
aviation forces on this front are dis
playing the most intense activity.
First Phase Proves Failure.
New York, June 23.-The first
phase Of the Austrian offensive has
ended in failure-in defeat. The cul-
mination of what was intended to be
the crushing of Italy between the
jaws OF the Austrian pincers is the
rout of the invaders themselves.
With their backs to the swollen
Piave river, the Ausfrians for several
days past had been trying to ward off
the vicious counter attacks of the
Italians and save the situation. Now
they are endeavoring, and still under
great pressure, to ford the stream and
reach safety on it's eastern banks.
Invaders Retreat.
From the Montello plateau to the
Adriatic sea the enemy is in retreat
Already his losses are estimated at
18O, 600 men, and the chances of his
escape without additional heavy cas-
ualties and men made prisoner seem
remote.
Large numbers Of the pont6on
bridges that the Austrians threw
across the Piave have been swept
away by the now torrential stream,
and on all the sectors of the 33-mile
front where they gained edges of the
Venetian plain they are being sorely
harassed by the fire of the Italian
guns and rifles and by the machine
gunlire and bombs Of the allied avia-
tors, who have done such notable ex-
ecution since the attempted drive
was started.
Monster preparations had been
made by the Austrians for what was
to be the death blow to King Victor
Emanuel's men. Thousands upon
thousands of men, many of them
brought from the Russian and Ru-
manian fronts, and guns and stores
in tremendous quantities had been
parceled among the various COM
manders for the drive over a battle
arc Of virtually 100 miles, running
from the Asiago plateau to the Piaye
river and then following the stream
to the sea.
Italians Fought with Gallantry.
Undoubtedly the Austrian high
command had built largely for sue
cess on the belief that the Italian
morale had been shattered when last
year their great pincers closed in
upon tile italian front and forced