Helena Gleichen, August 8, 1916, third day of the Battle of Gorizia

Gleichen & Hollings at work

Lady Helena Gleichen and Nina Hollings were English radiographers who worked on the Italian Front during World War I. The following letter excerpt, dated August 9, 1916, gives Gleichen's impressions (with the help of field glasses) of the previous day, August 8, the third day of the Battle of Gorizia, aka the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo. The letter was later included in Gleichen's memoir, Contacts and Contrasts. 

"The whole landscape was one mass of flame and smoke. The village just beneath us was red with smouldering fire, and shells were bursting every two minutes over it. The bridge over the Isonzo was broken in many places and great holes and gaps showed the water through them. As we watched we saw the first gun appear down the road towards the bridge going at a good smart trot. As it came fully into sight, it broke into a hand-gallop. A big high explosive burst at the other end of the bridge, but the gun kept steadily on, swung round the bend and off up into the town. It was followed closely by another and yet another. Shells were by this time bursting all round them and we were breathless for fear one should be hit. Then just as two guns were on the bridge at the same time, came a big shell, bang in the middle of the bridge; a huge smoke went up, and nothing could be seen of the bridge or of the guns. As the smoke lifted, we saw that one gun was down, the other making a detour to avoid it; it seemed as if all must be killed -- a mass of struggling men and beasts -- and a groan went up from the officers standing near us. But no, they picked themselves up, hauled the horses to their feet, and, as the Military Tournament in London, quickly put on another wheel, and were up and off before you could count five. There was a roar of cheering from all the men who had been standing just below us..."

From pages 200, Contacts and Contrasts, by Lady Helena Gleichen

The story of Gleichen & Hollings on the Italian Front is also included in the young adult collective biography, Women Heroes of World War I.