Page 121 - Il 1917 l'anno della svolta - Atti 25-26 ottobre 2017

II SeSSIone - Il 1917. ASpettI mIlItArI 121

the specific events which were extrapolated afterwards, for example, that Kobar-
th
id was already reached on the 24 of October, ignored the contributions of the
Austro-Hungarian troops. Nevertheless, it must be stated that the involvement of
German units had a positive effect on the morals in k.u.k. troops and cadres and
encouraged them to confidently carry out given instructions.
The Emperor, who was officially designated as the k.u.k. Armeeoberkom-
mandant responsible for the entire operation, expressed “Dank an alle, alle, alle”
61
(thanks to everyone) in an army command, in order to avoid officially confirm-
ing the involvement of German troops for the time being. This was subsequently
amended and the German contribution was mentioned. This German involve-
ment on the Isonzo was supposed to have acted as a moral justification and, with
it, a repercussion of foreign policy, following the declaration of war by the USA
on Austria-Hungary on December 7 , 1917. However, it was not crucial for this
62
th
diplomatic step. From this point on, the Austro-Hungarians no longer attempted
to hide the German support for political or diplomatic reasons. 63
The monarch’s thanks for the great success manifested itself in a virtual
shower of awards, which descended upon both his own troops and the German
ones, although animosities did exist and bestowments of some awards (or lack
thereof) were misunderstood as resentment. The highest military distinction of
the Habsburg Empire, the Military Order of Maria Theresa, was only awarded
three times for the autumn battle in 1917, though, as the bylaws designated,
only to natives. Only foreign sovereigns and ultimately also three allied (Ger-
man) Generals of a very high rank– eight foreigners in total- received this award
64
during the World War. Contrarily, the Prussian “Pour le Merite” was not bound
to standards of this kind and was also awarded to Austro-Hungarian Generals
such as Krauß und Waldstätten.
Some careers definitely experienced an impetus through “Caporetto”. Bo-
roević was made the commander of the Piave, and, in this role, was eventually
promoted to Field Marshall. Likewise, General Krauß was to be promoted, al-
though not in the way he imagined. As general in the east after the Treaty of
Brest-Litovsk, his function was not insignificant, especially in regards to the sup-
ply crisis of 1918. For Archduke Eugene, the autumn offensive was the pinnacle
of his military career. With the dissolution of the Command of the Southwestern
Front in January, however, he was forced to retire. The unauthorized decision

61 Peter Broucek, Ein General im Zwielicht. Die Erinnerungen Edmund Glaises von Horstenau,
3 Bde., Wien 1980, Band I, S. 436 f.
62 Rauchensteiner, Waffentreue, S. 10
63 Vgl. dazu das Vorwort Arz von Straußenburgs zu: Armeeoberkommando, Isonzoschlacht;
64 Geza Kövess von Kövesshaza, Die Militär-Maria Theresien-Ordens-Ritter des Weltkrieges
1914-1918, Wien 1937, S.24