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[Page 74]
impossible. In consequence battle lines are a series of breastworks and I am informed the effect of heavy shells in this country is really terrible. Numberless depressions are to be found in this area €“ natural €“ about 100 feet across and 30 feet deep. These have generally been used for Battalion and other HQrs . Arrived at Trieste at 4.30pm. Ascertained train leaves for Vienna at 1.15 tomorrow am. so we have decided to go on. Called on General [indecipherable] commanding Trieste Zone. Obtained movement order from British RTO. Dined at Savoy (late Excelsior) Hotel.
Trieste a very fine seaport town with excellent modern stone buildings. From the roadway along which we entered Trieste a magnificent view of the town is obtained. Roadway steep to level of town.
Trieste brilliantly illuminated and bands playing tho' rain about 9.30pm rather dampened the ardour of the inhabitants.
Wednesday 12th November
Left Trieste at 1.15 am for Vienna via Udine. On arrival at the Austrian border town (Tarvisio) we were informed no connecting train would run to Vienna till Friday or Saturday, owing to shortage of coal and strike trouble. Passengers had therefore to go on to next station (Villach) by a train leaving in afternoon, or return to Italy by a train leaving Tarvisio at about 6pm. This rather nonplussed us and upset our programme generally. However we interviewed the Lt Col commanding the Sector (Italian) who promptly invited us to lunch (we had already had a mediocre breakfast at the Railway restaurant) and providing a car sent us down to Udine a 2 ½ hours very interesting run down mountain gorges where many traces still remain of fighting between Italy and Austria. Arrived at Udine about 5pm the latter part of the journey being wet and cold. Snow everywhere. GHQ at Udine rang up Trieste and arranged that we should be met at the train with a car on arrival. Left Udine at 8pm by train for Trieste arriving about midnight. Officer with car met us and took us to room at Savoy Hotel as guests of the zone commander. Much snow on mountains, very pretty run by train up valley of Tagliamento and Gill rivers. Tomorrow we May possibly visit Fiume.
Thursday 13th November
Breakfast in Hotel Café. Car arrived for us at 9 am. Saw R.T.O. and arranged our new routes direct to Belgrade and Bucharest, for we now shall not have time to visit Vienna and Budapesth. Called on G.O.C. Zone. Political and transport difficulties in the way of