Battle of Cambrai – 1917



When:

October 24 – November 12, 1917

Where:

Caporetto, Slovenia – Italian Front

Who:

Allies – Italy
Central Powers – German Empire
Central Powers – Austria-Hungary

Summary:

The Battle of Caporetto, also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, was a combined offensive of Germany and  Austria-Hungary against the Italian line to the north of the Isonzo River. General Luigi Cadorna, the Chief of Italian Staff, had led the Italian troops through a series of battles along the Isonzo River. Though Italy had suffered huge losses in these battles, the Austro-Hungarian camp was also worn out by these successive offensives. German Commander Paul von Hindenburg agreed to launch a combined offensive at Caporetto along the Isonzo in 1917.

The combined offensive was launched in the early hours of October 24, 1917, from Tolmino, and the surprise attack unnerved the Italians. The Central Powers used gas and grenades and took advantage of the chinks in the Italian lines. Over fifteen miles of Italian ground was gained by the German and Austro-Hungarian troops. The Austro-Hungarian Fifth Army, led by General Boroevic made slow progress to the south. General Otto von Below’s German Fourteenth Army, however, swept across the Italian lines of defense. By November 10, 1917, the Italian troops had retreated to the Piave River, about eighteen miles from Venice. The battle resulted in one of the most decisive Central victories of World War I.

Outcome:

The Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo caused major losses to the Italian camp. The Italians recorded over 300,000 casualties. The defeat was reflected in the political situation of Italy. Vittorio Orlando was elected the new Prime Minister. General Cadorna was dismissed.

Following the Battle of Caporetto, the Allied nations reinforced support to the Italian troops and sent six divisions of the French Army and five divisions of the British Army to fight on the Italian Front.

Major Battles of World War I

Battle of Mons – 1914 Battle of Fler- Courcelette – 1916
Battle of Tannenberg – 1914 Battles of Gaza – 1917
Battle of Heligoland Bight – 1914 Second Battle of Aisne – 1917
First Battle of Marne – 1914 Second Battle of Arras – 1917
First Battle of the Masurian Lakes – 1914 Battle of Messines – 1917
First Battle of Aisne – 1914 Battle of Passchendaele – 1917
First Battle of Albert – 1914 Battle of Caporetto – 1917
First Battle of Arras – 1914 Battle of Cambrai – 1917
First Battle of Ypres – 1914 German Spring Offensive – 1918
Gallipoli Campaign – 1915 Hundred Days Offensive – 1918
Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes – 1915 Battle of Le Hamel – 1918
Battles of Isonzo – 1915 Second Battle of Somme – 1918
Loos-Artois Offensive – 1915 Second Battle of Marne – 1918
Battle of Verdun – 1916 Battle of St Mihiel – 1918
Battle of Jutland – 1916
First Battle of Somme – 1916 Battle of Vittori Veneto – 1918

 

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