A crazed Great Britain urges a broken Russia, a nose-picking, dozing Italy, and a sullen France to continued offensives in a German postcard imagining the November 6, 1917 Entente Ally Conference of Rapallo after the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo. The Battle, also known as the Battle of Caporetto, was a disastrous defeat for Italy and the first Austro-Hungarian offensive on the Isonzo Front. The Austrians had significant German support.
Entente Konferenz der XII. IsonzoschlachtEntente Conference of the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo
"General Pétain is not satisfied with the general situation; it has never been worse.He believes the Italians will not hold if strong pressure is brought to bear on their left flank.He declares that the British Army is very tired; that the British Command will not agree to relieving the Third French Army; that the French armies drawn out on a 360-mile front run the risk of being broken if they are suddenly subjected to a large-scale attack. The depots are bare—except for the new class and a few men who are reported fit again. The morale of the troops is good, but they are incapable of large and sustained effort....The General deplores the inefficiency of the British Command. The troops are excellent but they have been clumsily used.The Americans lack discipline and experience. Their baptism of fire will probably cost them dear.In conclusion, the General considers that the moment is not ripe for making peace, but if the enemy in a few months' time makes any proposals he thinks that they should be carefully examined."
Excerpt from the entry for December 10, 1917 from the diary of Albert, King of the Belgians, recording the thoughts of French Commander-in-chief Henri Pétain. The Nivelle Offensive, the Third Battle of Ypres, and the Battle of Caparetto had nearly broken the morale of the Entente Allies, leading to mutinies in the French Army and revolution in Russia. The United States was building an army in France, but had not yet seen its 'baptism of fire.'
The War Diaries of Albert I King of the Belgians by Albert I, pp. 182–183, copyright © 1954, publisher: William Kimber
1917-12-10, December, 1917, Albert, King Albert, Albert I, Henri Pétain, Pétain, Henri Petain, Petain, Italy, situation, morale
