WITH THE BRITISH IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 234, 21 June 1918, Page 5

WITH THE BRITISH IN ITALY

STIRRING EPISODES ALPINI TO THE RESCUE! (Bee. June 20, 8.13 p.m.)' London, June IS). Reuters correspondent at Italian Headquarters 6tates: "One of the most successful features of tho organisation of tho Italian Army consists in the wise distribution of reserves. This was illustrated by a brilliant feat on tho British sector. The British defenders of a position were ordered to retire with a viewto straightening a 6alient. A small detachment was left on the crest of tho mountain, three thousand feet high, to cover the withdrawal. The British were almost surrounded. Outnumbered tenfold, but held tho enc-my at bay. The commander of a detachment of tho Alpini decided on his own initiative to attempt to.rescue tho British. Tho question was whether he would arrive in time to find the defenders alive. The commander said: "Men, wo would be too late if any but British bulldogs wero defending the position, and any but Alpini chamois were rushing to reach them." "The Alpini dashed forward, shouting: 'Viva Inghilterra!' The Austrians were surprised, and wavered, and the commander of the British detachment leapt from tho trench and ordered a charge, forcing the Austrians to withdraw." Tho correspondent, describing tho fighting on Saturday, says: "The British have not merely resisted all the Austrian attacks, but counter-attacked so gallantly that they caused an Italian superior officer to remark: 'They are slamming the gates of Italy in tho face of tho invader!' A detachment of British cyclists accomplished, heroic deeds. Moving along a sunken road they suddenly ran into a vastly superior Austrian contingent which was barring the way. The British immediately dismounted, fixed bayonols, and charged tho Austrians, who simultaneously charged. A terrific fight ensiled, ending in the Austrians discarding their rifles and fleeing. The cyclists pursued them, taking many prisoners. - Gallant Deeds. The correspondent gives details of tlte attack on the British right, which showthat tho early morning mist helped the enemy, who advanced in great strength, carrying (lammenwerfer. After a heavy bombardment of the front line with gas and the secoDd line with shrapnel, our machine-guns stopped them dead on the left flank, but on the right tho enemy entered 150 yards of front trenches. Tho lino was gallantly restored in tho afternoon by the Yorkshires. Tho oflie'er commanding.advanced to the post after losing all his men .and succeeded in killing two machine-gun teams, captured tho guus, and turned thorn upon tho enemy. At ono time the enemy penetrated Battalion Headquarters on tho 'right. The'commanding officer collected all tho personnel, including the cook, drove them out, took twenty prisoners, and captured machine-guns and flaiumenwcrfer—ltcutcr.