[By a Special Correspondent of The London Morning Post]
Cormons, July 1.
The Italian battle for the conquest of the fortified lines on the
Isonzo and the entrenched camps of Gorizia is one of the most
important in the European conflict. The battle of the Isonzo is not to
be regarded as a mere episode, but a prolonged siege over a front of
more than a hundred miles of a natural fortress, consisting of a chain
of precipitous mountains. Perhaps never before in a European war has
the value of individual qualities been shown so conclusively as by the
Italian troops in this war. The very steep cliffs, which are almost
perpendicular, along the course of the river are almost impossible to
scale. The mountain passes which open along the river are very few and
also narrow. In addition the geological nature of that district,
composed of strong walls of granite towers, which dominate the River
Isonzo, is favorable to its defence.
To this natural defense have been added strong fortifications built by
the Austrians during past years in anticipation of being used for the
subjugation of Italians at some time or other. Finally, during the
last nine months of Italy's neutrality the Austrians have employed the
latest technical improvements in defensive warfare, and I have never
seen their equal during my excursions to the front in France and
Belgium, not even at Antwerp. This remark applies especially to Carso
and Gorizia.
The artillery officers of the Italian Military Staff whom I met at the
front have explained to me the nature of the Austrian defensive works.
Upon the Carso and around Gorizia the Austrians have placed
innumerable batteries of powerful guns mounted on rails and protected
by armor plates. Numerous other artillery advantages are possessed by
the Austrians in the form of medium and smaller guns, though the
efficiency of their action is modified by the long distances
separating the armies.
In view of these advantages possessed by the Austrians, the Italians
have accomplished marvels and are worthy of great admiration. The
infantry is much exposed while crossing large and deep rivers. With
the exception of the two positions of Podgora and Sabotino, all the
Austrian line on the Isonzo has been taken by the Italians.
To the conquest of Gorizia are directed the efforts of the Eastern
Italian Army. The Italian infantry which crossed the Isonzo ran
against a net of trenches which the Austrians had excavated and
constructed in cement all along the edge of the hills which dominate
the course of the river. These trenches, already occupying a position
nearly impregnable because so mountainous, are defended by every
modern protective device. They are armed with numerous machine-guns
surrounded by wire entanglements, through which runs a strong electric
current. These lines of trenches follow without interruption from the
banks of the Isonzo to the summit of the mountains which dominate it.
They form a kind of formidable staircase, which must be conquered step
by step with enormous sacrifice. The Italian troops have accomplished
this marvel.
The crossing of the Isonzo and the conquest of the first mountainous
positions were accomplished by the Italians in four strategic places:
At Caporetto, at Tolurino, at Plava, and at Sagrado. These four
places, situated in the strong line of Austrian defense, are about
twenty miles distant from one another. The chain of fortifications of
which Gorizia is a center was broken in these four essential points.
The immediate effect has been the disorganization of the defensive
plans of the enemy. The crossing of the river was accomplished
generally at night, and was conducted with a rapidity which took the
enemy by surprise. Complete regiments crossed in the night upon light
bridges constructed in a short time by the engineers, whose technical
skill was equal to their audacity. These "bridge-heads," which were
constructed with incredible courage, made possible an attack by the
reinforcements which followed them. When these came in contact with
the lower lines of the Austrian trenches they attacked the defenders
in such a way that the latter were unable to impede seriously the more
important work of the construction of strong bridges.