Battle of Caporetto Andrew Smeathers, Alan Gunderson, Prof. Ramsbottom

Isonzo Campaign 11 Results Austro-Hungarian forces nearing point of collapse Asked for German reinforcements Germans thinking the war in the west was nearing a close

sent a limited offensive designed to throw the Italians back across the Isonzo River

Background

Also known as the 12th Battle of the Isonzo and the Battle of Karfreit

Took place on October 24th – November 19th 1917 in Caporetto, Austria-Hungary

Located in modern day Slovenia, in the town of Kobarid Last battle General Cadorna would be in charge of Italian

troops This battle and others would have an impact on what Italy

would receive from the Treaty of Versailles

Preparations

General Luigi Cadorna, Italian commander-in-chief, learned in September that an enemy offensive was in the making

Ordered commanders of the Second and Third Armies to prepare defenses in depth to meet any attack

Preparations

General Cadorna insisted on keeping the bulk of the two armies’ troops on the east bank of the Isonzo

Austro-German forces held crossing towards the north

Italian reserves were stationed far back from the front lines making it hard to aid their countrymen later in battle

Preparation

Austro-German forces were led by German General Otto von Below prepared the Fourteenth Army for a salient near Tolmino

They planned to use heavy artillary bombardment as well as poison gas and smoke.

The offensive commenced with the opening bombardment on October 24th

The Battle Italians were caught by surprise with the Shelling and use of

gas from the attacking forces Covered 15 miles the first night This caused the Italian Moral to plummet after the first day While Below’s initial attack was a success the Italian troops

were able to hold back the secondary attacks, while the Third Army held Boroevic’s men back as well

The Battle With his mens moral low and the

enemy advancing, Cadorna refused to fall back to Tagliamento on the 24th.

This effort took four days and was quickly thwarted when German troops established a Bridgehead over the river on November 2nd

With the rapid success of Below’s army the supplies were not able to keep up with the advancement forcing the army to slow down

The Battle With the enemy slowing,

Cadorna ordered a further retreat to the Piave River on November 4th 30 Kilometer north of Venice

Once behind the Piave River Cadorna’s men were able to form a strong line by the 10th

The Piave River brought the Austro-German advance to an end, ultimately leading to a stalemate

Aftermath 10,000 Italians were killed 20,000 Injured and 275,000 captured Only 20,000 Austro-German casualties Italians gave up over 80 miles of land Cadorna was removed as chief of staff and replaced with General

Armando Diaz With the Italians lacking men and moral both Britain and France sent

many men to help hold back the Austro-German attackers With these replacements they were able to take on the enemies

Reasons why the Italians Lost

1. Italy was a country of agriculture, Not industry

2. Much of the Italian elite was corrupt including Cadorna1. As a whole the Hierarchy of the Italian army killed 729 of its

own men for cowardice and desertion

3. Germans were much more skilled in fighting

4. Cadorna was a poor leader

5. German Weaponry was much more advanced and better supplied

6. Poor visibility and long mountain lines helped Austro-German Forces attack with ease

Treaty Of Versailles Vittorio Orlando was Italy’s Prime Minister and represented

the country Italy was on the winning side once the fighting was over Overshadowed by the “Big 3” Received little in riches or land from the treaty Expected to get control of the Adriatic coastline but failed End of Vittorio Orlando’s political career