Masses of Austro-Hungarian prisoners taken during the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, ca. November 1918.
Masses of Austro-Hungarian prisoners taken during the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, ca. November 1918. Today 105 years ago, on October 24, 1918, the Italians launched the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, leading to victory on the Italian Front. Austria-Hungary had attacked unsuccessfully in the Second Battle of the Piave in June 1918. Although displeasing to the Allies, the Italians chose to wait to go on the counter-offensive until they felt ready. The Italian counter-offensive on the Piave was chosen to be launched on October 24, 1918, exactly a year after the launch of the disastrous Battle of Caporetto. For the upcoming attack, the Italians had assembled 52 Infantry Divisions with 3 British and 2 French Divisions, as well as a U.S. Regiment too. The Italians had 7,750 guns and over 1,000 airplanes for the attack. The Austro-Hungarians had 50 Infantry Divisions and 6,100 guns. Although demoralized and in political instability, the Austro-Hungarians held strong po...