After the defeat at Caporetto the fortifications along the Tagliamento did not prevent an Austrian advance. Because the forts were far from the relatively static front lines in 1915, the High Command disarmed them and left them unmanned. There was not enough time in October 1917 to prepare them for their intended strategic role, so their usefulness was very limited. Fort Ragogno was able to hold the Austrians back for long enough to allow most of the Italians to cross the Tagliamento safely on their retreat, but forces under General and managed to cross the river at upstream points near and Cornino. With the Tagliamento line no longer secure, General Cadorna ordered his men to fall back behind the Piave.