Meanwhile the Austrian armies were being heavily reinforced, and General Cadorna found himself unable to make progress.  Much ground had been won but Gorizia was still unredeemed.  Many important vantage points were in Italian hands, but it was difficult to advance.  The result of the three months’ campaign was a stalemate.  In the high mountains to the north Italy’s campaign was a war of defense.  To undertake her offensive on the Isonzo it was necessary that she guard her flanks and rear.  The Tyrolese battle-ground contained three distinct points where it was necessary to operate; the Trentino Salient, the passes of the Dolomites, and the passes of the Carnic Alps.

Early in June Italy had won control of the ridges of the mountains in the two latter points, but the problem in the Trentino was more difficult.  It was necessary, because of the converging valleys, to push her front well inland.  On the Carnic Alps the fighting consisted of unimportant skirmishes.  The main struggle centered around the pass of Monte Croce Carnico.

In two weeks the Alpini had seized dominating positions to the west of the pass, but the Austrians clung to the farther slopes.  A great deal of picturesque fighting went on, but not much progress was made.  Further west in the Dolomite region there was more fighting.  On the 30th of May Cartina had been captured, and the Italians moved north toward the Pusterthal Railway.  Progress was slow, as the main routes to the railway were difficult.

By the middle of August they were only a few miles from the railway, but all the routes led through defiles, and the neighboring heights were in the possession of the Austrians.  To capture these heights was a most difficult feat, which the Italians performed in the most brilliant way; but even after they had passed these defiles success was not yet won.  Each Italian column was in its own grove, with no lateral communication.  The Austrians could mass themselves where they pleased.  As a result the Italian forces were compelled to halt.

In the Trentino campaign the Italians soon captured the passes, and moved against Trente and Roverito.  These towns were heavily fortified, as were their surrounding heights.  The campaign became a series of small fights on mountain peaks and mountain ridges.  Only small bodies of troops could maneuver, and the raising of guns up steep precipices was extremely difficult.  The Italians slowly succeeded in gaining ground, and established a chain of posts around the heights so that often one would see guns and barbed wire entrenchments at a height of more than ten thousand feet among the crevasses of the glaciers.  The Alpini performed wonderful feats of physical endurance, but the plains of Lombardy were still safe.

CHAPTER III

GLORIOUS GALLIPOLI