What was the significance of the Battle of Caporetto?
The Battle of Caporetto (also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, the Battle of Kobarid or the Battle of Karfreit) was a battle on the Italian front of World War I. The battle was fought between the Kingdom of Italy and the Central Powers and took place from 24 October to 19 November 1917,...
How many Italian soldiers died in the Battle of Caporetto?
Learn More in these related Britannica articles: …the momentous military disaster at Caporetto in October 1917, which enabled the Austrians to occupy much of the Veneto in 1917 and 1918. This single battle left 11,000 Italian soldiers dead, 29,000 injured, and 280,000 taken prisoner.
Where can I find media related to the Battle of Caporetto?
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Battle of Caporetto. Anna Grillini: Caporetto, Battle of, in: 1914–1918 online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War.
Who wrote about the Battle of Caporetto?
The Swedish author F.J. Nordstedt (pseud. Christian Braw) wrote about the battle in his novel Caporetto. The bloody aftermath of Caporetto was vividly described by Ernest Hemingway in his novel A Farewell to Arms. Curzio Malaparte wrote an excoriation of the battle in his first book, Viva Caporetto, published in 1921.
Why did the Battle of Caporetto happen?
Soldiers in the Italian army hoped that the winter of 1917 would offer some respite. It did not. As rumours of an imminent Austro-Hungarian attack circulated, the Italian army sought to reinforce the mountainous north-eastern battle lines around the town of Caporetto (today Kobarid in Slovenia).
When did the Battle of Caporetto start and end?
October 24, 1917 – November 19, 1917Battle of Caporetto / Period
Who won the Caporetto Battle?
On October 24, 1917, a combined German and Austro-Hungarian force scores one of the most crushing victories of World War I, decimating the Italian line along the northern stretch of the Isonzo River in the Battle of Caporetto, also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, or the Battle of Karfreit (to the Germans).
Where was the Battle of Caporetto located?
KobaridSočaMatajurBattle of Caporetto/Locations
What weapons were used in the Battle of Caporetto?
The Austro-Hungarian artillery used large numbers of gas shells to penetrate Italian artillery batteries in tunnelled mountainside emplacements. In addition, on the northern valley floor, the Germans used a new type of gas weapon to break the Italian front line positions at Bovec (Plezzo in Italian, Flitsch in German).
Why did Italy switch sides in ww1?
Italy should have joined on the side of the Central Powers when war broke out in August 1914 but instead declared neutrality. The Italian government had become convinced that support of the Central Powers would not gain Italy the territories she wanted as they were Austrian possessions – Italy's old adversary.
Did the British fight in Italy in ww1?
During World War I, both Britain and France sent military forces to Italy in October 1917. Following the Battle of Caporetto (24 October to 19 November 1917), the Italian Front collapsed.
What was a major Battle of the Italian front?
The decisive Battle of Vittorio Veneto (October–November 1918)
Who won the Battle of Somme?
More of The Somme The Battle of the Somme (1 July - 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans on the Western Front after 18 months of trench deadlock.
What was the most devastating weapon by numbers of deaths used on the Western Front?
ArtilleryArtillery. Artillery was the most destructive weapon on the Western Front. Guns could rain down high explosive shells, shrapnel and poison gas on the enemy and heavy fire could destroy troop concentrations, wire, and fortified positions.
Who won the Battle of Gallipoli?
the TurksThe Gallipoli Campaign cost the Allies 187,959 killed and wounded and the Turks 161,828. Gallipoli proved to be the Turks' greatest victory of the war.
Who won the Battle of Jutland?
the GermansThe Battle of Jutland—or the Battle of the Skagerrak, as it was known to the Germans—engaged a total of 100,000 men aboard 250 ships over the course of 72 hours. The Germans, giddy from the glory of Scheer's brilliant escape, claimed it as a victory for their High Seas Fleet.
Who won the battle of the Somme?
More of The Somme The Battle of the Somme (1 July - 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans on the Western Front after 18 months of trench deadlock.
Who won the Battle of Jutland?
the GermansThe Battle of Jutland—or the Battle of the Skagerrak, as it was known to the Germans—engaged a total of 100,000 men aboard 250 ships over the course of 72 hours. The Germans, giddy from the glory of Scheer's brilliant escape, claimed it as a victory for their High Seas Fleet.
Who started the Battle of Isonzo?
general Luigi CadornaThe Italian general Luigi Cadorna launched his first attack against the Austrians on June 23. For 14 days the Italian army attempted to cross the river and scale the heights beyond, but they were beaten back.
How many battles of the Isonzo were there?
The Battles of the Isonzo (known as the Isonzo Front by historians, Slovene: soška fronta) were a series of 12 battles between the Austro-Hungarian and Italian armies in World War I mostly on the territory of present-day Slovenia, and the remainder in Italy along the Isonzo River on the eastern sector of the Italian ...
What was the rout at Caporetto?
The rout at Caporetto. The organization and deployment of the attack in such mountainous country presented difficulties, but these were ably overcome. Guns were brought up mostly by hand and at night, and the infantry ascended by night marches with all their ammunition and supplies on pack animals.
How many Italian soldiers died in the Battle of Caporetto?
This single battle left 11,000 Italian soldiers dead, 29,000 injured, and 280,000 taken prisoner. Some 350,000 Italian soldiers deserted or went missing, ...
What was the Battle of Isonzo?
Context: Battles of the Isonzo World War I. ... (Show more) Full Article. Battle of Caporetto, also called 12th Battle of the Isonzo, (October 24–December 19, 1917), Italian military disaster during World War I in which Italian troops retreated before an Austro-German offensive on the Isonzo front in northeastern Italy, ...
When did Cadorna win the Battle of Isonzo?
Learn More in these related Britannica articles: On the Italian front, Cadorna’s 10th Battle of the Isonzo in May–June 1917 won very little ground; but his 11th, from August 17 to September 12, during which General Luigi Capello’s 2nd Army captured much of the Bainsizza Plateau (Banjška Planota), north of Gorizia,….
Where did the Battle of Isonzo take place?
Isonzo, Battles of the; Caporetto, Battle of. The World War I Battles of the Isonzo took place on the Italo-Austrian front in northeastern Italy, near the western border of what is now Slovenia. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
What happened in December 1917?
At the beginning of December 1917, the British and the French, who had been waiting in reserve in case of a fresh breakthrough, moved forward to take over vulnerable sectors, but the attack was renewed only in the north, and on December 19 it came to an end with the snows. Caporetto seriously damaged Italy but also purged the country, bringing about a change in military command and the formation of a new ministry, which reorganized the condition of the home front. The Central Powers ’ victory was correspondingly ephemeral, because the attack lacked a strategic context.
How many people died in the Battle of Caporetto?
Italian casualties at Caporetto totaled almost 700,000—40,000 killed or wounded, 280,000 captured by the enemy and another 350,000 deserted. In the wake of the battle, violent anti-war protests reached a peak in Italy, as Cadorna was forced to resign his command.
What was the name of the battle that decimated the Italian line?
Battle of Caporetto. On October 24, 1917, a combined German and Austro-Hungarian force scores one of the most crushing victories of World War I, decimating the Italian line along the northern stretch of the Isonzo River in the Battle of Caporetto, also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, or the Battle of Karfreit (to the Germans).
How far did the Germans advance in the Battle of Venice?
Though the Italians managed to harden their defensives over the coming weeks, by mid-November the Germans and Austrians had driven them back some 60 miles to the River Piave, just 30 kilometers north of Venice.
How did Germany prepare for the Italian offensive?
In preparation for the offensive, Germany transported seven divisions of troops to reinforce the Austrians on the upper banks of the Isonzo. Cadorna, learning by aerial reconnaissance of the Austro-German movements, pushed back his own army’s scheduled September offensive to prepare a defensive position for the scheduled attacks that month. Unfavorable weather, however, pushed back the plans, and by the time Germany and Austria-Hungary were ready to attack, they were able to catch the Italians by surprise. On October 24, after a brief, effective artillery bombardment, the German and Austrian infantry moved ahead against the damaged Italian lines, using grenades and flamethrowers to exploit their advantage and achieve a quick and decisive breakthrough. By the end of the day, they had advanced an impressive 25 kilometers.
What happened in August 1917 in Austria?
Indeed, in the wake of the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo in August 1917, Austria’s positions around the city of Gorizia were dangerously close to collapse.
When was the last Concorde flight?
Kennedy International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport on October 24, 2003. The British Airways jet carried 100 passengers, including ...read more
When was the first battle of the Marne?
First Battle of the Marne: September 6-12, 1914. The First Battle of the Marne marks an Allied victory about 30 miles northeast of Paris, where the French army and British Expeditionary Force stop Germany’s swift advance into France. With an exhausted and weakened German force that had sent nearly a dozen divisions to fight in East Prussia ...
What was the purpose of the Battle of Gallipoli?
The invasion is an effort to control the sea route and seize Constantinople.
What was the name of the battle that the Germans won in 1914?
Battle of Tannenberg: August 26-August 30, 1914. Dubbed the Battle of Tannenberg by the victorious Germans in revenge for the 1410 conflict in which the Poles crushed the Teutonic Knights, this would be the country’s biggest win against Russia along the Eastern Front. The battle begins with Russian armies attacking German troops in German East ...
How many Americans died in the Battle of the Meuse?
It would leave 26,000 Americans dead, with 120,000-plus casualties—the deadliest battle in U.S. history.
How long did the Battle of Verdun last?
Battle of Verdun: February 21 to December 18, 1916. The Battle of Verdun becomes World War I’s longest single battle. It lasts nearly a year as the French Army fends off a surprise German offensive that causes mass losses on both sides, with more than 600,000 total casualties.
Where did the Battle of Mons take place?
The first European clash since 1815’s Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of Mons takes place in Mons, Belgium, with a British Expeditionary Force that numbers about 75,000 fighting an estimated 150,000 Germans in an attempt to hold the Mons-Conde Canal. The final of four “Battles of the Frontier” held in the first weeks of World War I, the British forces are overpowered and forced to retreat, handing the Germans a strategic victory. Some 1,600 British and 5,000 Germans casualties are reported.
What was the Battle of Jutland?
Battle of Jutland: May 31 to June 1, 1916. World War I’s biggest naval conflict, the Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark marks the first and only showdown between German and British battleships. After German forces attack the Royal Navy, 250 ships and 100,000 men take part in the bloody fight, with both sides losing thousands ...
Where was the Battle of Caporetto?
The battle was part of World War I and is considered one of the most outstanding successes of the war. The battle occurred in Kobarid, Austria-Hungary, present-day Slovenia. The Battle of Caporetto was between Italy and a combination of Germany and Austria-Hungary.
What was the name of the battle that was fought in the Battle of Caporetto?
Other names used to refer to this battle are the Battle of Kobarid and the Battle of Karfreit. The battle was part of World War I and is considered one of the most outstanding successes of the war.
What happened to the Italians in 1917?
On October 24, 1917, Italians were caught off-guard by the Austro-Hungarian and German forces because the weather conditions around the region. At 0200 hours, poisonous gas was fired into the Italian trenches in the valley killing about 600 Italians. The German and Austrian army shot at the Italians at 0641 hours with over 2,200 guns. The foot soldiers attacked and invaded the Italian barricades in the valley and breached the Italian Second Army. The Germans and Austrian had managed to advance 15.5 miles by the end of the day almost unopposed. Cardona ordered a retreat of the Italians to the opposite side of the Tagliamento River, but the forces of Austria-Hungary and Germany were right behind them. A German division had been established at the bridge on the Tagliamento by November 2. The quick advancement of the Austro-Hungarian and German forces started to fail as their supply lines were at full stretch and they could not launch another attack. The Italians retreated further up to Monte Grappa where they defeated the Germans and Austria-Hungarians at the First Battle of Monte Grappa.
What does the word "caporetto" mean?
The term Caporetto is prevalent around Italy. People use the word to stand for a disastrous defeat. In the present day, there’s a museum in Kobarid committed to the battles that happened in Isonzo, notably the Battle of Caporetto. Joyce Chepkemoi March 29 2018 in Society. Home.
What battle did the Italians defeat the Germans and Austria-Hungarians at?
The Italians retreated further up to Monte Grappa where they defeated the Germans and Austria-Hungarians at the First Battle of Monte Grappa.
How many battles were fought along the Isonzo River?
Since May 1915, eleven battles were fought along the Isonzo River and had exhausted both the Italian and the Austro-Hungarian armies by September 1917. The wave of Italian attacks had depleted Austro-Hungarian resources to the point of collapse of Austria's positions around Gorizia.
Why did the Italian army create the Supreme War Council?
The disaster that befell the Italian army forced the creation of a Supreme War Council to enhance Allied military collaboration and to come up with a collective strategy. Luigi Cardona resigned, and the Italian propaganda offices were incorporated to provide social justice and land to soldiers.
Prelude
The Isonzo river, location of the initial attacks at Kobarid (Caporetto).
Battle
Foul weather delayed the attack for two days, but on 24 October there was no wind and the front was misted over.
Aftermath
Italian losses were enormous: 10,000 were killed, 30,000 wounded and 265,000 were taken prisoner – morale was so low among the Italian troops, mainly due to Cadorna's harsh disciplinary regime, that most of these surrendered willingly.
Further reading
Connelly, O. On War and Leadership: The Words of Combat Commanders from Frederick the Great to Norman Schwarzkopf, 2002 ISBN 0-691-03186-X
How long did the Battle of Caporetto last?
When the expected offensive was launched on 24 October, the resulting battle lasted over a month and was a disaster tantamount to a national trauma.
What was the Italian army trying to do in the Battle of Caporetto?
As rumours of an imminent Austro-Hungarian attack circulated, the Italian army sought to reinforce the mountainous north-eastern battle lines around the town of Caporetto (today Kobarid in Slovenia).
What was the Caporetto brigade involved in?
His brigade had been involved in heavy fighting during the summer in the successful conquest of the Bainsizza plateau, and was now in a state of disarray. He hoped Caporetto would be a quiet posting. The units under his command were struggling with large numbers of green, poorly trained soldiers.
Why was Caporetto chosen as the target for a major offensive?
Caporetto had been selected by the Central Powers as the target for a major offensive because of the weakness of the Italian defence there.
What was the name of the battle that the Central Powers won in 1917?
On 24 October 1917, the Central Powers launched a massive offensive at Italy’s north-eastern border. The resulting battle – popularly known as Caporetto – has been described as the greatest defeat in Italian military history.
Where was Pisani captured?
This was the end of Pisani’s war; captured with his staff, he was despatched to a prisoner of war camp at Karlsruhe in Germany. Leaderless and isolated, the Foggia Brigade stood little chance. Most of the patrols Pisani had sent out in search of information had already been surrounded in the fog.
Where was the Italian army headquarters?
By mid-afternoon, Italian army headquarters in Udine, some 25 miles away, were still in complete ignorance of the scale of events. Not until 10pm would Chief of General Staff Luigi Cadorna learn the true dimensions of what the Italian troops were suffering at the country’s north-eastern boundary.
Why was the Battle of Caporetto so decisive?
5 reasons why was the Battle of Caporetto 1917 was so decisive. The Battle of Caporetto in 1917 was a decisive victory for Germany, and one in which 25 year old German lieutenant Erwin Rommel showed signs of his future greatness. It was an spectacular victory, which brought Italy to the brink of national collapse.
Why did Germany win the Battle of Caporetto?
1. Italy remained a predominantly agricultural society at the time of the First World War, and lacked the industry and infrastructure necessary to sustain a modern war of attrition. In consequence, even with the development of war industries between 1915 ...
When was the Isonzo battle?
Ninth Battle of the Isonzo – 1–4 November 1916. Tenth Battle of the Isonzo – 12 May–8 June 1917. Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo – 24 October–7 November 1917 also known as the Battle of Caporetto.
What river was the 11th Battle of Isonzo?
1st Piave River. 2nd Piave River. San Matteo. Vittorio Veneto. The Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo was a World War I battle fought by the Italian and Austro-Hungarian Armies on the Italian Front between 18 August and 12 September 1917.
How many shells did the Italians fire in the Battle of Isonzo-Marsch?
To commemorate the participation of the Royal Bavarian Infantry Lifeguards Regiment, Georg Fürst wrote the March "Isonzo-Marsch". The Italians fired 5.5 million artillery shells during the battle, including poison gas shells.
How many guns did Luigi Cadorna have?
On the Soča (Isonzo) River, Luigi Cadorna, the Italian Chief of Staff, concentrated three quarters of his troops: 600 battalions (52 divisions) with 5,200 guns.
Prelude to The Battle of Caporetto
The Battle of Caporetto
- On October 24, 1917, Italians were caught off-guard by the Austro-Hungarian and German forces because the weather conditions around the region. At 0200 hours, poisonous gas was fired into the Italian trenches in the valley killing about 600 Italians. The German and Austrian army shot at the Italians at 0641 hours with over 2,200 guns. The foot sold...
The Outcome of The Battle
- The disaster that befell the Italian army forced the creation of a Supreme War Council to enhance Allied military collaboration and to come up with a collective strategy. Luigi Cardona resigned, and the Italian propaganda offices were incorporated to provide social justice and land to soldiers. Italy suffered considerable losses in the battle with 10,000 soldiers killed, about 30,000 wounde…
Caporetto Legacy
- The Battle of Caporetto became a subject in books such as F.J. Nordstedt’s Caporetto. The term Caporetto is prevalent around Italy. People use the word to stand for a disastrous defeat. In the present day, there’s a museum in Kobarid committed to the battles that happened in Isonzo, notably the Battle of Caporetto.