October 26, 1917 The Italian Second Army continues to disintegrate as it falls back from the Austro-German offensive near Caporetto (modern-day Kobarid, Slovenia). The Germans claim they have taken 60,000 prisoners over the past three days and captured 500 guns. The unfolding disaster causes the Italian government under Prime Minister Boselli to collapse, ushering in Vittorio Orlando's government four days later. The British government reacts to the news by ordering General Haig to strip two divisions from his army for immediate deployment to Italy, thus weakening British efforts around Ypres and their planned December offensive at Cambrai. Though it isn't apparent at this dark hour, the seeds for the ultimate Italian victory on this front are being sown. A new government will bring much needed change and control to the Italian Army almost immediately, while the Austrians and Germans are overextending themselves in the pursuit of victory here.