Dominic Sandbrook

The Italians lost 42,000 men.

The Austrians actually lost more, 50,000.

Because they're outnumbered.

And because the Italians, when they finally do get their act together, they're able to overrun some Austrian positions, but they aren't able to do enough of that to swing the tide of the battle.

But, I mean, let's not pretend that the Austrians aren't going, the Austrians are being killed too in large numbers.

You know, the Austrians, they're not exactly one of Europe's great military machines.

We saw how badly they performed against the Russians.

They are struggling, but somehow they're clinging on is the answer.

Right.

So they are the massive underdogs here, even though they're at the top of the hill.

General Cadorna's spin doctor joins us now on the rest of history.

Yeah, but it doesn't work though.

I mean, I would say it doesn't work.

But they're not always losing fewer men.

So...

Back in Rome, Salandra, the prime minister, is becoming very frustrated.

He needs a victory to show the Italian public, but he also needs a victory to appease the Allies.

So in October, General Codona agrees to launch a third battle of the Isonzo.

And it starts with a huge bombardment in October the 18th.

Not enough, as always, to break the Austrian defences or destroy their barbed wire.