Chapter IV

The wonderful system on which everything was worked—Udine
“the Front”—The commencement of hostilities—The 24th May—The
first day of operations auspicious for Italy—Redemption of the
province of Friuli—New Italian Front—Cormons—The inhabitants
of Italian origin—A good practical joke—The _moral_ of the
troops—Unpretentious attempts at wit—High spirits of the
men—The road from Udine to Cormons—Wonderful sight—Italian
flags everywhere—A mystery where they came from—Wild triumphant
advance of the Italian troops—Women kiss the ground—But a
_lever de rideau_—Italians cross the Isonzo—Austrians on Monte
Nero—Monte Nero—The capture of Monte Nero—Incredible daring of the
_Alpini_—The story of the great achievement—Number of prisoners
taken—The prisoners brought to Udine—Their temporary prison—The
tropical heat—An ugly incident—Austrian attempt to re-take
Monte Nero—Success follows success—Capture of Monfalcone and
Gradisca; Sagrado and Monte Corrada—Commencement of the attack on
Gorizia—Subjects for my sketch book—Touches of human nature—High
Mass in the mountains—The _tentes d’abri_—Cheerfulness of men in
spite of all hardships 37