Famous St Michele Mountain

During the war the eyes of the world were centered on the battlefields of France. The superhuman achievements of the Italian army in the mountains round about Trent received but passing notice—battles fought on snow-clad peaks 10,000 feet above sea level ; batteries of 6-inch guns hauled up by ropes to almost inaccessible heights ; whole detachments dispersed by blizzards on the mountain sides ; companies overwhelmed by avalanches ; roads built where chamois once roamed ; hardships and toil unbelievable. Monte San Michele, a ridge on the north side of the Doberdo plateau, flanking the Isonzo river, saw some of the most desperate fighting of the war. The Austrians were here established in force, blocking the way to Trieste. General Cadorna brought 300,000 men and 1,500 guns, some of them of the heaviest caliber, to the assault of this plateau. From October 15 to November 15, 1915, the battle was continuous. At times it seemed as though nothing could resist the deluge of shells rained upon this rocky fortress. Every living thing was driven to the caves below. San Michele was taken and lost by the Italians several times. One half of the ridge was in their possession for six months before they finally captured the remainder. Success was ultimately obta ined through the use of dirigible balloons which day and night showered bombs upon the Austrian batteries, tons of bombs, and finally silenced them