11. bitva na Soči (Isonzu) [1917]

In preparation for the battle gathered the Italian command of the 46 divisions, 2 400 works (part of it with the british and the French context) and 1 700 mortars. In the course of the fighting then přisunulo other 5 divisions and 1 200 works. Against these units, could the austro-Hungarian army to build only 29 divisions, 1 434 works and 112 mortars. Italian forces struck in two directions – to the north of the plain Banjšica (the Altopiano della Bainsizza), and on the south traditionally towards Trieste. Plain Banjšica they managed to conquer and keep, in the next (somewhat unrealistically planned) procedure into the interior of the habsburg monarchy, however, they prevent the austro-Hungarian counterattacks. On the southern direction of the Italian troops have reached the small territorial gains, the austro-Hungarian counterattacks however, it is not only stopped, but eventually i pushed them back. Italian losses have reached the number of 166 000 of the fallen, wounded and captured, the Austrians lost 105 000 men....

From the memories of the survivor:

"... We were waiting for the company of us vystřídajícího battalion. I next hand of the king, at whose call numbers companies allocate every trupě two men who had lead them to their habitat. And here suddenly comes to us from the bottom, actually came, the young lieutenant 6. company that the first day of our stay here struck was a little poisoning of gas and two days was the colonel a dressing station. He came to us, shook with the hand of the hand and that moment in the vicinity of the above us exploded the heavy shrapnel. And already we were upset. For me, a few men more or less wounded, one dead, one foreign, to me unknown, the lieutenant was dead, and our young lieutenant, who 30 seconds ago came, incredibly, mortally wounded. Had the left side of the chest strženu so that the lungs and heart were visible. Died for 2 hours and was up to the last minute in full consciousness.

With this officer I came frequently into contact, and on various occasions he repeated always: "I'm not going home, here I'll find my grave." Shortly before this he received the silver medal, I was congratulated and jokingly interjected: "That girls will watch!" And he answered me: “no, I her home I don't get.“ The other day I found out that it happened to several of our men, as they clawed up, and everyone told him: "Sir, don't go there, we're already gonna be replaced." He didn't listen, went, why he went there? Why? This nezdpověděná question was přetřásána all who knew him. And everyone came just to conclude: it Was meant to be, it was his destiny!

Companies were relieved, only major, the adjutant and the us about five men had to stay on the site, says at least 24 hours. The next evening we went on the way back. We arrived at the foot of Monte San Gabriele, and there we stayed until dawn, until the closing of the barrage has suffered, so that we can once appointed through the valley of the proběhnouti. We run all happy and we find on some bigger a dressing station. There we are just freely have breathed. Vysíleni to fainting, thirst, terrible; the water no. There was a kitchen and someone from our ranks to say about black shit, but didn't get. I went myself to the doctor, who was in the place of command, and the brief words I recited our request and situation. I got the coffee the full pot, as they had always two men together on the cooking. It was hello, when I came up with it. It was hideous on the black slush, and God knows what cooked, perhaps from the cobbler's bad luck, but for us it was the drink of paradise. It was a gorgeous morning, the sun pleasantly shining, just for us burácela shellfire and Monte San Gabriel was shrouded in heavy clouds of smoke.

And no one could keep this in mind to compare, for such a wonderful day, in such a romantic scenery, can furious hell. For some hour, perhaps two, dragged to the point and there only we find, how many of us left. From our company, that even before the 5 days consisted of 100 men, left the 19th, I say unto nineteen, and for other sections it was better..."

Antonín Sweet: Memories from the Italian front, in the Home of the for war IV (Prague, 1930)
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