Page "Battle of Passchendaele" Paragraph 57

On 24 October, The Austro-German 14th Army, under General der Infanterie Otto von Below, attacked the Italian Second Army on the Isonzo at the Battle of Caporetto ; in 18 days Italy lost 650, 000 men and 3, 000 guns.

In fear that Italy might be put out of the war, the French and British Governments offered reinforcements.

British and French troops were swiftly moved between 10 November and 12 December.

The diversion of resources from the British Expeditionary Force forced Haig to conclude the 3rd Battle of Ypres short of Westrozebeke.