d Toblach on
the Pusterthal railway. Formidable works had been constructed at
Seoten and Lambeo, covering the approaches to the railroad, and on
these the Italians opened a furious bombardment for the purpose of
clearing a way into the Drave Valley. The object aimed at here was
very clear to the Austrians, for when the railroad was reached
communication along the Pusterthal between the Adige and Isonzo would
be cut, and the Austrian position on the Trentino turned. This was the
position in August, 1915, when the Italians were exerting pressure on
the Austrians for the further purpose of diverting troops from the
Russian frontier, where was being carried on the greatest offensive
known to history.

During August, 1915, a continuous night and day battle was waged on
the Isonzo frontier for the possession of the Carso Plateau. Gorizia,
with its circle of outlying forts, proved itself practically
unavailable from either the north or west, for two fortified heights,
Monte Sabatino, on the right bank, and Monte Gabrielle on the left
bank, of the Isonzo River, stood sentry over the town on the north,
while the plateau of Podgora, which is a perfect labyrinth of deep,
intercommunicating trenches, barred the approach to the town from the
west. A determined and carefully prepared attack was made by a large
Italian force on Podgora, but though ten regiments were sent against
the position they failed to get through. In another movement the
troops of General Cadorna were successful in obtaining a firm footing
on the western face of the Carso Plateau, occupying Sdraissima,
Polazzo, Vermegbano, and Monte Sei Bussi, which overlooks Monfalcone.
Finding, however, that the Austrians had been strongly reenforced,
General Cadorna abandoned his storming tactics, and began advancing
along the plateau by the slower methods of siege operations. From the
beginning, both Italians and Austrians recognized the Carso Plateau as
the key to Gorizia, and around it have been waged some of the
bitterest conflicts of the war.

During September, 1915, General Cadorna was able to report progress
all along the front occupied, and especially on the Trentino frontier,
where Italian troops moved along the three main routes which converge
on the Adige Valley from the Italian plain. The route taken was
through the Val Giudicaria on the western face of the Trentino
salient, up the Adige on the south side, and along the Val Sugano on
the eastern front. The Val G