Word: isonzo
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Dates: during 1917-1917
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...spite of the vigor of the German attack, the complete success over the Italians which at first seemed assured has not materialized. Cadorna, by a skillful retreat has extricated his Third Army from its almost hopeless situation beyond the Isonzo, has reestablished his front and has taken up a strong defensive position behind the Tagliamento River. Viewed from a purely strategic point, completely discounting the political element, Italy now occupies a better position than before the attack, surer in defence, and offering more favorable opportunities in some future offensive to make full use of her superiority in men. Henceforth...
Were Italy's allies to blame for Cadorna's terrible defeat on the upper Isonzo? Probably that question will be discussed for a good many years to come. The Italians' own confidence in their military competence may be taken by the British and French writers as an excuse for British, French and American neglect, but it excuses the Allies only in a slight degree. It is true that General Cadorna had been regarded as having established his military competence. Nobody supposed that he would leave the strategically most important portion of his line inadequately defended. But the question of responsibility...
...Italian defeat is momentarily assuming graver proportions. With a hundred thousand prisoners taken, and most of the difficult mountain country already passed, there is a lively danger of the fall of Udine, and with this the capture of the Third Army across the Isonzo. Not since the days of the great German advance of August 1914, have the Allies been confronted with so serious a crisis. For should a catastrophe take place, then the way will lie open for the Germans to seize the rich Lombard plain, capture new ports for submarine bases on the Mediterranean, and even menace France...