GRAVE DEFEAT OF THE ITALIANS

A SUDDEN ONSLAUGHT

FROM G. WARD PRICE. ITALIAN FRONT, FRIDAY EVENING.

The Italians have taken measures on their new line of defence, east of Isonso, so that those who are fighting on the heights nearer the river will be able to fall back on to a firm support. What has happened is that the enemy overwhelmed a single army corps of the Italian Second Array, and forced their way into the gap thus formed. That breach in the Italian line is rendering necessary evacuation of the Bainsizza plateau.

The first German attack against the left wing of the Second Army was made more formidable by much use of a special gas, to which the Italian troops are not accustomed. This took some of the men by surprise. Moreover, they were attacked in a drenching rain and mist under the most depressing conditions. The gas attack was followed by a tremendously heavy bombardment by all sorts of new batteries whose presence was entirety unknown, as they had not even registered. They used the ranges already registered by the guns there previously. Tins terrific lire broke the Italian resistance and opened a way for the advance.

Of course, a certain number of guns have been lost, though not so many as the Germans will doubtless claim. You cannot get big guns away from mountain positions, and the batteries were fought gallantly to the last. There may probably be a lull for a day or two until the Germans have advanced their heavy artillery, when the battle will be renewed fiercer than ever.

It is to be hoped that neither Italy nor her allies will exaggerate the gravity of the position. The German preparation for it has been carried on by an insidious propaganda in this country, which was almost as secret as their stealthy movement of these fresh masses of troops up to our front. This last succeeded so well because the men were kept far back until the very last moment, and then they rushed up straight into the attack, while the guns and material had been smuggled up to the front at night.

VISIT TO THE BRITISH TROOPS

BRITISH HEADQUARTERS, ITALIAN FRONT, FRIDAY (4PM).

I took the opportunity today of having a brief chat with the commanding officers and men of the British forces on this front, and also of inspecting the splendid guns with which the British contingent is aiding in the heroic defence which the Italian army is making against the desperate drive now being attempted by the common enemy. The visit was made at an opportune moment, when every attention was centred on throwing back the Austro-german offensive. Britons of all grades and classes seemed deeply imbued with the spirit and opportunities of the hour. The officers had remained at their posts throughout last night, expectant of developments in the vast field of operations. I saw a British general at his headquarters, which, despite being within the apparent calm of an extensive park, was receiving scattered shots from the enemy batteries. Picking up a piece of exploded shell from his desk, the general remarked, smilingly, “This is what they are planting in my garden.”

Escorted by a British officer; we visited the chief centres of the British batteries. The colonel at the first British observation station had been in his lookout chamber for the past 24 hours. A terrific bombardment had been coming from the enemy positions, indicating that he might be preparing the ground for an infantry advance, but the colonel’s observation clearly established that the fierce cannonade was a ruse to keep the Italians and British fully occupied, and to prevent them sending reinforcements northward, where the real blow was being struck.

One of the big new British guns was put through its paces to show its effectiveness. This ugly monster was the first of its kind sent here for experimental use. It is mounted on road wheels, with a coupling behind ready to be attached to a tractor. The British gunners handled it as if it were a favoured child. They deftly rolled an enormous projectile on to its trunnion until it fitted into the broach, and swung the piece into position for answering the enemy’s fierce cannonade. But as this was clearly a ruse, no British powder was being wasted on fruitless shelling.

Everything in the British and Italian lines gave evidence of the complete preparedness and high state of morale of the troops and of excellent organisation. The gravity of the present situation, however, is not minimised, and the feeling prevails that the Allies should give serious attention to the work of reinforcing the Italian front with ample heavy artillery, since on this front we may be confronted with the largest part of the Austro-german forces. – Reuter’s Special Service.