Battles of Isonzo



Where:

Isonzo River, Italian Front

Summary:

Between 1915 and 1917, Austria-Hungary and Italy fought twelve battles along the Isonzo River, also known as the So?a River in Slovenia.

These battles were fought in modern-day Slovenia and Italy.

The Isonzo River ran parallel to the Italian border with Austria-Hungary. The natural highland gave the Austro-Hungarians a natural advantage. General Luigi Cadorna, the Italian commander, and his troops made five unsuccessful attempts to cross the Isonzo and scale the mountainous banks in their campaign against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

These early battles of the Isonzo yielded very little success and proved costly to Italy. The Sixth Battle of the Isonzo was launched by General Cadorna on August 6, 1916, and seemed to award the Italians a breakthrough in Gorizia. With this victory, the Italian troops were successful in crossing the Isonzo and finding a foothold in Austria-Hungary.

The victory of Gorizia allowed the Italians to launch intense attacks, and the next four battles of the Isonzo saw fewer losses for the Italian camp. The Italians, however, were unable to capitalize on the victory of the sixth battle and did not succeed in gaining much territory. The Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo was dramatically different from the previous Italian operations. The Austro-Hungarian troops were pushed back. The Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, also known as the Battle of Caporetto was a joint operation of Austria-Hungary and Germany. The Central troops launched a surprise offensive and swept across enemy lines. By October 10, the Italians had conceded defeat and retreated to the Piave River. The Battles of the Isonzo cost Italy over 300,000 casualties.

Battles Dates
First Battle of Isonzo June 23 – July 7, 1915
Second Battle of Isonzo July 18 – August 3, 1915
Third Battle of Isonzo October 18 – November 3, 1915
Fourth Battle of Isonzo November 10 – December 2, 1915
Fifth Battle of Isonzo March 9 – March 17, 1916
Sixth Battle of Isonzo August 6 – August 17, 1916
  Seventh Battle of Isonzo September 14 – September 17, 1916
Eighth Battle of Isonzo October 10 – October 12, 1916
Ninth Battle of Isonzo November 1 – November 4, 1916
Tenth Battle of Isonzo May 12 – June 8, 1917
Eleventh Battle of Isonzo August 19 – September 12, 1917
Twelfth Battle of Isonzo October 24 – November 12, 1917

 

Major Battles of World War I

Battles of Isonzo Battles of Isonzo
Battle of Tannenberg – 1914 Battles of Isonzo
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 Battles of Isonzo
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 Battles of Isonzo
Battles of Isonzo – 1915 Second Battle of Somme – 1918
Loos-Artois Offensive – 1915 Second Battle of Marne – 1918
Battles of Isonzo Battles of Isonzo
Battles of Isonzo Battle of Cambrai – 1917
First Battle of Somme – 1916 Battles of Isonzo

 

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