'The first tread-way bridge built across the Isonzo river' is in the background, a destroyed bridge in the foreground, and another under construction. Austrian and German soldiers watch POWs — most likely Italian — draw carts, and cut and trim logs. 'In the background our trenches', and dozens of horse-drawn wagons waiting to cross the tread-way bridge. (The quotations are from a handwritten note on the reverse; translation Thomas Faust.)

M556

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Austro-Hungarian Commander Conrad von Hötzendorf launched the Asiago Offensive on May 15 in an attempt to isolate Italy's armies in the country's northeast, between the mountains and the sea, with enemy armies before and behind them. Having been refused German support, he had drawn troops from Austria-Hungary's forces on the Eastern and Italian Fronts. Despite some initial success, Conrad's offensive failed.

With Russia's success in the Brusilov Offensive, begun on June 2, Conrad had to consolidate his positions and redeploy his troops to the Eastern Front. Italian commander Luigi Cadorna seized his opportunity.

Austria-Hungary had limited railways to redeploy its forces, but the superior Italian internal lines of communications allowed Cadorna to shift some of his forces from the Trentino to the Isonzo. On August 6, he launched the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo. Between August 6 and 17, his forces crossed more of the River, and took the city of Goriza. But they were unable to drive the Austro-Hungarians from the Bainsizza Plateau north of the city.

The Sixth was the most successful of Cadorna's offensives along the Isonzo River. With its success, Italy declared war on Germany on August 28.

Start Date: 1916-08-06

End Date: 1916-08-17

Sixth Battle of the Isonzo is part of Battles of the Isonzo.