Italian Militarism
Initially, Italy faced problems in determining its allies and objective in the Great War. Austria-Hungary was their main enemy, and the Italian army repeatedly attacked Austria, but suffered heavy losses. In 1915, Italian officers were weakly trained, and its artillery was inferior to the Austro-Hungarian. For the Italians, the first year of war was marked by poor conditions in the battlefield, which led to outbreaks of cholera.
Naval battle also occurred between the Italian Royal Navy and the Austro-Hungarian Navy, but once again, Italy was crushed, and had its warships destroyed. However, to maintain moral, the Italian army had propaganda lectures about the importance of war.
Italy was involved in the Twelve Battles of the Isonzo River, in which they had initial success until the conflict evolved into trench warfare in the Alpine rocks and glaciers.
Naval battle also occurred between the Italian Royal Navy and the Austro-Hungarian Navy, but once again, Italy was crushed, and had its warships destroyed. However, to maintain moral, the Italian army had propaganda lectures about the importance of war.
Italy was involved in the Twelve Battles of the Isonzo River, in which they had initial success until the conflict evolved into trench warfare in the Alpine rocks and glaciers.
tECHNOLOGY
The teleferico was the precursor of the ski lift, and it transported soldiers, and supplies to the top of the Alps, and wounded soldiers down to hospitals. Allowed the Italians to transport themselves and supplies in a faster and more effective way than their enemies.
The ski kit was composed by snow camouflage uniforms, that could be submitted to low extremely low temperatures, and high altitudes, and a rifle issued to specialized troops. Being able to camouflage was an important advantage for Italy, allowing soldiers to hide, and surprise their enemies.
The grenade launcher worked like a baseball pitching machine that threw a disk shaped missile to until 200 meters and the explosives would send off splinters 15 meters. The launcher was able to fire 30 bombs in 1 minute, enabling Italians to "attack in a defensive way", without having to expose their soldiers, but still be effective and fast.
Battle OF CAPORETTO
October 24, 1917, German and Austro-Hungarian army decimated the Italian army at the northern part of the Isonzo River, known as the Battle of Caporetto, Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo or the Battle of Karfreit by the Germans. After Austria’s position around Gorizia almost collapsed due to frequent Italian attacks, Paul von Hindenburg and Eric Ludendorff, leaders of the German Supreme Comand with Arz von Straussenberg launched an operation against Italy, led by Chief Luigi Cadorna.
Cadorna pushed back his army to organize a defensive position, however, unfavorable conditions allowed Germany and Austria-Hungary to attack and surprise the Italian army, using grenades and flamethrowers to advance inside the territory. Italian defensives were stronger after some weeks, but Austro-German action pushed them until just 30 kilometers north of Venice.
Ilatian casualities were almost 700,000
-40,000 killed or wounded
-280,000 captured
-350,000 deserted
Italy witnessed violent anti-war protests, while Cadorna was forced to resign.
Cadorna pushed back his army to organize a defensive position, however, unfavorable conditions allowed Germany and Austria-Hungary to attack and surprise the Italian army, using grenades and flamethrowers to advance inside the territory. Italian defensives were stronger after some weeks, but Austro-German action pushed them until just 30 kilometers north of Venice.
Ilatian casualities were almost 700,000
-40,000 killed or wounded
-280,000 captured
-350,000 deserted
Italy witnessed violent anti-war protests, while Cadorna was forced to resign.