1. By: Will Kimball, David Yip, Jaron Jin, Ethan Kung
Battle of Isonzo
By: Will Kimball, David Yip, Jaron Jin, Ethan Kung

2. Thesis
Following the declaration of war from Italy, the Italian forces pushed forward against Austria-Hungary at the Isonzo river only to be held back by a German offensive coming to the rescue; pushing the Italians back in the war with the heavy losses they suffered.

3. Causes
-On June 23, 1915, exactly one month after Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary, the Italian army attacks Austro-Hungarian positions near the Isonzo River.
-The Italian Chief of Staff Luigi Cadorna decided that land gains were easily accessible through that area
Italy
Austria-Hungary

4. Battle Overview
Battle occurred near the Isonzo River, in eastern sector of the Italian Front
The river is surrounded by peaks, and the Austrians had fortified the mountains before Italy joined the war
Italian general Luigi Cadorna led first attack on the Austrians on June 23
Italian army tried to cross the river and scale the heights, but failed

5. Battle Overview (continued)
During August 19-September 12, 1917, the Italians attacked again with 51 divisions and 5,200 guns
Germans feared that the Austrian front would fall, so they sent reinforcements
Many Italian troops gave up and the Austrians took over the area and gained control of Caporetto

6. Map
Fighting occurred around the Italian-Austrian border. The Isonzo River spanned through Austria along the border of Italy. Italy had numerous failed attempts to cross this river and gain Austrian land, but they were almost all complete failures. Eventually, Italy had to retreat back to the Piave River.

7. Consequences
Italy gained fairly little from the battle. Their forces ended up conquering heights over Bovec in the northern sector and the westernmost ridges of the Kras plateau in the southern sector.
Italy

8. Historical Significance
-Italians had to retreat after the German offensive
-Set Italians far back in the war due to heavy losses
Germany
Italy

9. Works Cited
"Battles of the Isonzo | World War I." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 26 Jan
"First Battle of the Isonzo." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 26 Jan
"Firstworldwar.com." First World War.com. Web. 26 Jan
"The Austro-Italian Front in the First World War." The Austro-Italian Front in the First World War. N.p., 24 Nov Web. 26 Jan