On June 15th, about the time when
the Germans were being driven back on the Marne and the Oise, the
Austrians, urged to action by the Germans, suddenly undertook a great
offensive on a front from the Asiago Plateau to the sea, a distance of
ninety-seven miles.
From the very start it was plain that the Italians were resisting
magnificently. The offensive was not unexpected, either in time or
locality, and had been openly discussed in the Italian press. The
Italians therefore were not taken by surprise, and moreover since the
disaster of Caparetto the Italians had learned by a patient campaign of
education what they were fighting for.
On the second day of the battle the Austrian troops made a desperate
effort to break through the Italian lines, particularly in the eastern
sector of the Asiago Plateau, and crossed the Piave River at two places.
They also attacked the French positions between Osteria di Monfenera and
Maranzine, but were driven back with heavy loss. At every point where
the Austrians were able to advance the Italians initiated vigorous
counter-attacks. The order to Italy's army was, "Hold at any cost."
On the third day of the battle the Austrian offensive was being strongly
checked. They had established three bridgeheads on the Piave, but had
not been able to advance.
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