Heavy artillery preparation devastated the positions opposite Caviglia's troops before they crossed the Isonzo. By midday on 19 August, engineers had built four pontoon bridges and the Bersaglieri were pouring through the gap. Shellfire had also broken the defenders' telephone connections, and their resistance collapsed as the Italian advance surrounded them. Capello and Cadorna nevertheless hesitated for two days because enemy positions still held on the flanks. The account criticizes that decision: troops tied to those fixed defenses were poorly placed to intervene behind their lines, and the delay cost the Italians their opportunity.
Notable Point · 28:11-34:17
The Eleventh Isonzo breakthrough that Italian command failed to exploit
Caviglia's river crossing opened an exploitable gap, but Capello and Cadorna delayed while fighting continued on the flanks.