Page 118 - Il 1917 l'anno della svolta - Atti 25-26 ottobre 2017

118 il 1917. l’anno della svolta

serters and stragglers and to establish order in the units through disciplinary mea-
sures; innumerable Italian soldiers fell victim to executions that were conducted
rd
on a large scale. The crossing of the still intact Italian 3 army to the western
shore could ultimately not be hindered and the last bridges were detonated.
At this point, parts of the German artillery were already retreating and saw a
significant lack of ammunition. In addition to this, there were considerable dif-
th
ficulties in the coordination of the advance. Especially between the German 14
nd
Army and the 2 Isonzo Army, crossings of the lines of advance and frictions
over the few usable roads occurred time and time again, the latter of which were
additionally congested with columns of returning prisoners of war and aban-
nd
doned Italian war materials. Beginning on the 2 of November, the crossing of
th
the Tagliamento was gradually achieved, and on the 9 of November, the Piave
was already reached.
At this point, both the Command of the Southwestern Front and the German
Supreme Army Command had contemplated extending the obvious operative
success through means of an envelopment. The attempts to destroy the Italian
defence of the Piave through a southern thrust, which were justified by the for-
mer contemplation, failed on Monte Grappa due to a lack of forces and ammu-
nitions. In addition, the troops had hitherto been in constant battle for over two
weeks, and were battle-weary. Regroupings and the catching up of the artillery
and ammunition supply demanded a halt as they reached the then current lines.
On the side of the Italians, this time was also used to further strengthen them-
selves. Towards the end of November, a continuation of the offensive no longer
seemed sensible. Even General Below pleaded for the cessation of the offensive,
especially after the approach of the Army Group Conrad from Tyrol had failed
58
and in regards to the already onset winter. Equally at this point, the German
Supreme Army Command was not ready to detach more forces to the Italian
theatre of war, as no real strategic advantages had been gained by reaching the
Brenta or the Adige, according to their evaluation at the time.
On the 3 of December, the end of the offensive was officially ordered by
rd
the Command of the Southwestern Front, although locally, fighting for better
th
positions still occurred. On the 14 of December, 1917, the German Supreme
Army Command decided to forgo further involvement in (future) operations and
initiated the staggered transport of the German divisions to the western front.

Epilogue
With the Piave reached, the autumn offensive against Italy came to a close.
On the side of the Austro-Hungarians and the German allies, at the first attack,
three and then subsequently five armies were involved. On the Italian side, two

58 Krafft von Dellmensingen, Durchbruch am Isonzo II, S. 244 f.