The Third Battle of the Isonzo was a battle fought on the Italian front of World War I from 18 October to 4 November 1915.
History[]
The Austro-Hungarian forces controlled the high grounds over the Isonzo River, providing them with a commanding view of the Italian positions on the other bank. Italian Chief of Staff Luigi Cadorna had spread his forces along the whole line, rather than concentrate them against the main target of Gorizia. Cadorna decided to attack the secure Austrian-held bridges at Plezzo and Tolmino, but Svetozar Boroevic's defense was well-organized. Boroevic's counterattack resulted in heavy losses for the Austrians, but the Italians lost 20,000 dead in three weeks and another 60,000 wounded, many of them from flying pieces of rock broken off by ricocheting bullets. Cadorna decided to attack again a week later, initiating the Fourth Battle of the Isonzo.