OFFICER CAPTURES HIS FATHER

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 201, 30 September 1916, Page 5

OFFICER CAPTURES HIS FATHER

TRAGIC EPISODE ON THE ITALIAN FRONT. Lieut. Louis Gentill, a native of the Trentino, has had the tragic experience of capturing his own father, and subsequently being the indirect cause of his murder. On the outbreak of the war Gentill’s father fled from Austrian territory into Italy and enlisted in the Italian army. Louis Gentill, who remained in Austria was enrolled in the Austrian forces and sent to the front, and soon obtained a commission. During the offensive against Italy, Lieut. Gentill, with other soldiers, captured a dozen Alpini, in one of whom he recognised his father. Father and son affectionately embraced, Louis Gentill ordered his men to escort the prisoners behind the front. The following morning Gentill was shot by the Austrians, who invariably kill all the natives of the Trentino falling into their hands.