|
|
Chronology Of World War 1
ITALIAN FRONT
1915
April 26-Secret Treaty of London is signed by Italy,
France, Great Britain, and Russia; Italy is to enter war on Allied side
in return for territorial gains in the Tirol, on the Adriatic coast,
and elsewhere.
May 23-Italy enters the war; makes limited attacks up to June 16 to
gain positions for offensive.
June 23-First Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends July 7); this is first
of 11 battles launched by Italians against Austrians on the Isonzo River;
attacks are made against Carso Plateau and Gorizia with small gains.
July 18-Second Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Aug. 3); Italian attacks
against the Carso make only small gains.
Oct. 18-Third Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Nov. 3); attacks on
the Carso and to outflank Gorizia make small gains.
Nov. 10-Fourth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Dec. 2); attacks on
both sides of Gorizia fail; in first 4 Isonzo battles the Italians lose
275,000 men, and the Austrians 165,000.
1916
March 9-Fifth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends March 17); attack is
stopped by bad weather; there are no gains.
May 15-Asiago offensive begins (ends June 17); Austrians launch strong
attack in the Trentino and capture Asiago, but end bitter fighting to
send troops to meet Brusilov offensive on Russian front.
Aug. 6-Sixth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Aug. 17); Italians advance
4 miles and capture Gorizia and bridgehead over the Isonzo beyond the
town.
Sept. 14-Seventh Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Sept. 17); an attempt
to enlarge the bridgehead makes negligible gains.
Oct. 10-Eighth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Oct. 12); a second
attempt to enlarge the bridgehead also makes negligible gains.
Nov. 1-Ninth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Nov. 4); a third attempt
is made to enlarge bridgehead; a small hold is gained on the Carso.
1917
May 12-Tenth Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends June
8); Italians widen hold on the Carso and make small gains beyond Plava.
Aug. 19-Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo begins (ends Sept. 12); Italians
break Austrian position beyond Plava; Austrians retreat 5 miles.
Oct. 24-Battle of Caporetto begins (ends Nov. 12); Germans join Austrians
on Isonzo front and launch strong surprise attack; Italians are routed
and retreat 70 miles to Piave River; they lose 320,000 men.
Dec. 5-Austro-German offensive on Asiago Plateau makes limited gains.
Dec. 24-Italians regain several positions on Asiago front.
1918
Jan. 29-Italians pierce enemy line near Asiago.
June 15-Battle of the Piave begins (ends June 24); a great Austrian
attack across the Piave is beaten back by the Italians.
Oct. 24-Battle of Vittorio Veneto begins (ends Nov. 4); Italians shatter
Austrian lines; Austrians flee, losing 500,000 prisoners.
Nov. 3-Italians take Trento; armistice is signed for Italian front,
effective Nov. 4.
|
|
