WAR MEMOIRS OF DAVID LLOYD GEORGE 1917

"My dear Bonar,
THE CAPORETTO DISASTER 477
"27th August, 1917.
"I enclose letter which I am sending by special messenger to
the C.I.G.S. I have followed Delme-Radcliffe's reports very closely
and unless he is over-sanguine the events which are taking place
on the Italian Front indicate overwhelming possibilities if
promptly exploited. There are undoubted signs of demoralisation
in the Austrian Army, and if it is pressed hard and continuously
for another fortnight or three weeks there seems to
me to be a very fair chance of a rout, with consequences which
no one can foresee. As you know, Austria is anxious for peace. A
great military defeat would supply her with the necessary excuse.
Cadorna says his heavy ammunition will not last much longer,
and that you ought to call for Delme-Radcliffe's report on this
point, and this corresponds with the information we had before
the action. We should never be forgiven if we allowed such an
opportunity to go by for lack of prompt action, and we should not
deserve to be forgiven. It may be said that it is too late now to
send guns and ammunition. But it must be borne in mind that
if Cadorna is informed that guns and ammunition are being sent
he can then afford to draw on his reserves and fire his last
cartridge, whereas if there is nothing more coming he will have
to stop in order to have the necessary supply of ammunition to
meet the inevitable counter-attacks. I cannot believe that transport
difficulties would stand in the way if a real effort were
made. I understand that the Taranto Route is actually carrying
some hundreds of tons a day already, and can carry more.
But, in addition to that, special efforts might be made which
would take guns and ammunition to the Italian Front in a few
days.
"I beg the War Cabinet to take this matter into serious consideration,
and specially to urge the Chief of Staff to pay an
immediate visit to the Italian Front with a view to form an independent
judgment as to the possibilities. That is, of course, in
the event of his not being satisfied with the reports that come
from Delme-Radcliffe. If Sir William Robertson cannot see his