Fourth Battle of the Sonzo

Fourth Battle of the Sonzo

On November 10, 1915, the Fourth Battle of the Isonzo began. Like the Third Battle of Isonzo, which had ended just a week earlier, the main target of this Italian offensive was the city of Gorizia, as well as the heights of the Plateau de Carso.

Since the last battle, the Italian strength had increased from 19 to 28 Divisions and the Austro-Hungarians from 11 to 15 Divisions. The Italians had 1,374 artillery cannons compared to only 626 Austro-Hungarian cannons.

On November 10, 1915, the Italians launched the offensive against the Austro-Hungarians along the entire Isonzo Front, under heavy rains and under continuous Austrian artillery. The Italians suffered great losses and gained little gains, but they also inflicted great losses on Austro-Hungarians when they retaliated.

On November 13, after intense artillery shelling and a bloody bayonet load, the Italians managed to capture some key trenching positions. On November 18, the Italians began bombing Gorizia itself, destroying almost completely the city. Earlier, the Italians had launched flyovers with planes over the city, informing citizens to leave.

On November 29, the Italians managed to capture the ridges around Gorizia that dominated the city, and victory was considered possible. Although the attacks in other parts of the Isonzo were bloody and did not make significant advances. But in early December winter began, and combined with the Italians who had suspended their artillery supply, the Italians suspended the offensive on December 5.

In the Fourth Battle of the Isonzo the Italians would suffer about 50,000 casualties, of which 7,500 were killed. Austro-Hungarians suffered 32,000 casualties, of which 4,000 died.

 The combined casualties of the 4 Battles of the Isonzo in 1915 were about 250,000 Italians, of whom 66,000 died, and 165,000 Austro-Hungarians. The Isonzo Front remained fairly calm during the winter until March 1916, when the so-called Fifth Battle of the Isonzo started.