THE

MILITARY ORDER OF MARIA THERESA 

DECORATIONS IN THE WORLD WAR 1914 - 1918

Captain Johann Iskric

Born in the 1884 at Karlsdorf, Hungary, captain Iskric entered infantry school in Liebenau by Graz when he was fourteen. 8/18/1902 he was assigned to the Hungarian IR. 86 as a junior officer - ensign. With them, he went into the World War. In January 1915 he became captain and in 11th battle at Soca he commanded the Hungarian LstB. V/4 against overwhelming opponent, with such skill, that he was awarded the knights cross - military decoration of the order of Maria Theresa. After the break-up of the Austro-Hungary Iskric became soldier of the Yugoslavian army and in 1941 retired as colonel of the Croatian army.

The defence at river Soca at Avce

In the beginning of the 11th battle on Soca, the southern wing of the XV. corps spread over the ruins of Log on Soca, 3 km north of Kanal. Only a small section - about a kilometre - spread between Log and Avce along the river and than turned back in the right angle on the Lom highs. Behind coastal position "U", which was occupied by three companies of the LstB V/4, there was a second line "R", which spread from height Fratta (555m) toward the northern part of Avce and there join the coastal position. The exposed lower section at the coast of Soca made important part of defence and was so one of main targets of the Italians when on 8/17/1917 began the battle.
The commander of the coastal position (and from day two, the blockade position too) captain Johann Iskric was commander of his battalion and SchR. 37 and LstB.19 for only two weeks. Fighting abilities and armament of these older men - reservists wasn't even close to the Italian forces. Only under the leadership of a young captain with great will power, whose gentle figure didn't represent his inner strength, these forces fought for three days in heavy battles, until the reserves came to the Lom (Banjsice) heights and formed joined defence there. During the fourth night of the battle on 8/20, Italians crossed river Soca not far from Log. Captain Iskric had to retreat left wing to the blockade position. From there direct artillery attacks, nor ever lasting attacks couldn't force him to retreat even when both wings of defence were surrounded. When the enemy reserves came, but Iskric didn't had any, and with number of casualties rising, the position of courageous defenders became hopeless. The brigade's command allowed Iskric to retreat from the lost ground. "Never!" responded Iskric on the phone lines which tore again the next moment.

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But during the day Italians gained ground on the neighbouring, north position. So another offensive to the lower section of Avce, where remained only one third of defenders, became really impossible. The brigade's command ordered retreat during following night. But they rewarded captain Iskric and his men for persistence in four days of heavy battle.

Vienna, 1943

VERLAG "MILITÄRWISSENSCAFTLICHE MITTEILUNGEN"
VII/62, Mariahilfer Straße 24