The Evening Star (July 13, 1946)
Two Yugoslav soldiers killed in fight with U.S. patrol in Italy
GORIZIA, Italy (AP) – The U.S. 88th Division announced today that an American Army patrol killed two Yugoslav soldiers in skirmishes yesterday after a Yugoslav patrol opened fire when it was caught west of the Morgan Line.
The line divides the British-American zone from the Yugoslav zone of occupation in disputed Venezia Giulia. It extends north from Punta Grossa, a prominent headland four miles south of Trieste, to Gorizia, Caporetto and Ratece on the Italian-Yugoslav-Austrian border.
The 88th Division’s headquarters said the skirmishes developed after the Yugoslavs crossed the line near Aurisinia, in the Isonzo River Valley, southeast of Caporetto, which is itself two miles north of Gorizia.
American troops in the zone were ordered on the alert.
The official statement said:
“At approximately 1600 hours GMT (Greenwich mean time) on July 12, a Yugoslav patrol which crossed the Morgan Line near Aurisinia, southeast of Caporetto, was sighted by a United States outpost.
“An American-officered patrol which immediately investigated the violation of the line was fired on by the Yugoslavs at a point approximately 300 yards from the Morgan Line in Zone A.
“Acting on instructions to fire only when fired upon, the United States patrol returned the fire. After a brief exchange of firing, one of the Yugoslav soldiers was found dead.
“The United States patrol continued to advance until another Yugoslav patrol was encountered which apparently was intent on ambushing the United States patrol.
“Another brief firefight followed, after which the Yugoslavs retired.
“The American patrol returned to Aurisina, where it was ascertained that there were no United States casualties.
“All actions definitely took place in Zone A, and American troops in Caporetto and Aurisina have been alerted while further investigation is being made.
“Later reports confirmed by 88th Division headquarters state that a second Yugoslav soldier was killed in the latter part of the action.”