the end of February the
atmospheric conditions, which up till then had remained exceptionally
favorable, changed suddenly, giving place to a period of bad weather,
with meteorological phenomena particularly remarkable in that theater
of the operations, which among all those of the European war is the
most Alpine and the most difficult. In the mountain zone snow fell
very heavily, causing frequent great avalanches and sometimes the
movement of extensive snow fields. Communications of every kind were
seriously interrupted. Not only shelters and huts, but in many cases
columns of men and supplies on the march were swept away. The
unceasing tempest made it difficult and in some cases quite impossible
to render any aid, but owing to an organized service for such
eventualities, ample and effective assistance was given in the great
majority of cases. This led to the speedy restoration of
communications and supplies. Nevertheless the distressing but
inevitable loss of human lives was comparatively large.

In the lowland zone heavy and constant rains caused landslides in the
lines of defense and shelters. The rise of the rivers and the
consequent floods soon made the ground impassable. Even the main roads
were interrupted at several points. In the whole theater of operations
it was a regular battle against adverse circumstances.

Austrian troops in many places used the heavy snowfall to their
advantage. By means of mines, bombs and artillery fire they produced
avalanches artificially. Thus on March 8, 1916, some damage was done
in this manner to Italian positions in the Lagaznos zone. On the same
day Italian forces succeeded in pushing their lines forward for a
slight distance in the zone between the Iofana peaks (in the
Dolomites), as well as in the valley of the middle Isonzo and in the
Zagara sector. Along the entire front vigorous artillery fire was
maintained.

The artillery combat gradually increased in vehemence during the next
few days, especially on the Isonzo front, indicating a resumption of
offensive movements. About the middle of March, 1916, Italian troops
began again to attack the Austrian positions. On March 15, 1916, a
lively artillery duel and a series of attacks and counterattacks were
repulsed from the Isonzo front.

Italian infantry carried out a number of successive attacks in the
region of Monte Rombon in the Plezzo basin and on the height
commanding the position of Lucinico, southeast of San Martino