The Austro-Hungarian counter attack came on 3rd June and, within a week, they reclaim ed most of the territory lost. In the 10th Battle of Isonzo, the Italian army managed to advance to within 15 km of Trieste by the end of May. On 10th May, the Italian infantry began their advance along a 40 km front in order to achieve a breakthrough towards Trieste. The Italians changed their tactics to short, intense attacks in order to limit their casualties but were unable to penetrate the formidable natural barriers protected by Austrian artillery. Three more battles were fought in 1916 near the Isonzo between September 14–17, October 10–12 and November 1–4. Italian cavalry enters Gorizia after the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo, August 9, 1916 However, they had to suffer heavy casualties. The attack on Gorizia was the most successful Italian offensive along the Isonzo lines and greatly boosted Italian morale. The Sixth Battle of Isonzo resulted in an Italian victory as they are able to capture Gorzia and a bridgehead was secured across Isonzo. With the Austro Hungarians forces reduced at Isonzo to reinforce Trentino, the Italians were quick to take advantage by transferring more troops to the front. A majority of Austria Hungarian forces were thus diverted and the Trentino Offensive was checked by Italy. However on 4th June, the Austria-Hungary faced reverses on the Eastern Front, where Russia entered its territory in the Brusilov Offensive. The Italian defense was broken in the center and the Austrians advanced 12 miles by the end of May, reaching the beginning of the Venetian plains. On May 15, 1916, they launched an unexpected attack near Asiago in the province of Vicenza. Italian trenches at the beginning of the Fifth Battle of the IsonzoĪustro-Hungarian commander in chief, General Conrad von Hötzendorf had long been thinking of Strafexpedition (Punitive expedition), a counter offensive to lethally cripple Italy. It ended quickly as weather conditions worsened and the Austro-Hungarian launched a punitive assault in the Trentino. Under immense pressure from the French, the battle was called to relieve pressure from Verdun on the Eastern Front. Italian Army at the Second Battle of the IsonzoĪfter four attempts to cross the Soča (Isonzo) river and invade Austro-Hungarian territory, Luigi Cadorna, the Italian commander-in-chief, organized a strong new offensive following the winter lull in fighting. Two more battles of Isonzo were fought between October and December without any substantial gains on either side, before any major fighting stopped for the winter.

There were close to 40,000 casualties on both sides. The Second Battle of Isonzo concluded in a stalemate after exhaustion of weaponry on 3rd August. On 18th July, the Italians launched another frontal assault against the Austro-Hungarians trench lines with more artillery.

After early successes, the attack was a failure as the Italians were unable to dislodge the Austro-Hungarian troops from the high ground between Tolmino and the Isonzo. With the aim of dislodging the Austrians from their defensive positions along the Isonzo River and the nearby mountains, the Italians launched a surprise attack with 2:1 numerical superiority.

Eleventh battle of the isonzo