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Italian Front a. Strategic
Considerations
Italy declared war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915, and began active operations the next day. The initial Italian strategic plan, which had been developed early in April, envisioned operations in conjunction with the Russians, Serbs, and Montenegrins to break into the plains of Hungary and force the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At that time the Russians had advanced to the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, deep in Austrian territory. Early in May, however, an Austro-German counterattack drove the Russians back and crumpled their southern front. Now, on May 24, the general situation, which had looked so promising for the Allies a month before, was dark indeed. Stalemated on the western front, frustrated in Gallipoli, and with Russia in serious straits, they were grateful for Italy's decision to join them. With the principal attention of the world focused on the titanic western front, the part played by Italy in the war has generally been underestimated. Some of the bitterest fighting under the most difficult conditions took place on the AustroItalian front, and events there exerted considerable influence on the conduct of the war as a whole. The general course of the war on this front is simply
told. Restricted by topographical considerations to offensive action
on the single narrow front of the Isonzo River, the Italians launched
11 ferocious attacks there between June 1915 and September 1917. The
resulting territorial gains were meager, but the attacks succeeded in
so wearing down the Austrians that large German formations had to be
rushed to the front to prevent a collapse. Meanwhile, an Austrian offensive
from the mountainous Trentino in mid-1916 to relieve the pressure on
the Isonzo front had failed. In the autumn of 1917 a combined Austro-German
offensive on the Isonzo caught the Italians unprepared and brought on
the debacle of Caporetto (now Kobarid). Forced back to the Piave River,
the Italians, bolstered by Allied units, held firmly and repulsed all
attempts to dislodge them. The sting of Caporetto brought a resurgence
to the Italian home front that excited the admiration of the world.
Factories hummed, and all hands turned with determination to preparations
for the final victory. In the fall of 1918, these efforts culminated
in the glorious Battle of Vittorio Veneto, in which the Austrians were
eliminated from the war.
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