Italy’s military performance in the First World War and reasons for Italian ineffectiveness Flashcards
What were military problems for Italy
-those living in poverty in Italy (eg South) weren’t enthusiastic about fighting for their country. (majority of the soldiers were Southern peasant conscripts)
-Most skilled workers were required to stay at home to produce war equipment.
-poor rations, low pay and a lack of modern equipment – all hampered morale.
-Thousands killed by cholera, typhus and frostbite.
-Military expenditure had not been a priority for Daneo (finance minister) He refused to give the war minister £24m that was needed.
-wars in Abyssinia and Libya highlighted shortcomings.
-Conditions of service were poor
-Training was outdated
-Cadorna had, a short time previously, wanted Italy to fight against France (now its ally)
What did he Italian Army soon find itself in
a war of attrition on its Alpine border (measure progress by metres gained in territory and the number of enemy killed).
Italian casualties were very high due to the weather, explosive shells and the persistence of commanders to push on.
How were the Italian Army hindered and how many casualties were there on the Austrian front in the second half of 1915
-Salandra’s government planned a rapid military strike to make territorial gains but the Italian forces were not up to the task. Hindered by inadequate equipment, poor leadership and disease
-246,000 casualties
-hoped-for quick victory did not materialise and the fighting in the mountains became an inconclusive and drawn out affair.
Alpine Campaign
Italian border with Austro-Hungary= alpine terrain of 650kn= heavily fortified. Austrians held high ground —> Italy would almost always be fighting uphill.
-Italy had 35 divisions at start of the campaign, 10 more than the Austrians.
-there were also 11 battles along the Isonzo river that would result in horrendous casualties and see Italy gain only 11km.
-1915 Italy gained some victories almost everywhere. First four battles of the Isonzo 1915=Italy lost 250,000 casualties.
-1916: five more battles of the Isonzo. Cadorna’s offensives from spring time onwards achieved little and brought heavy casualties.
-late summer of 1917: Italy’s war appeared to be unravelling, Russian army was disintegrating, American military intervention yet to have an impact and morale was low. At home, public confidence in war effort was fragile.
The Pope made public appeal to stop ‘the useless slaughter’ which had affected Italian morale. Shortly afterwards, bread riots broke out in Turin.
Battle of Caporetto (final battle of the Isonzo) and its effects
24 October 1917:
Austro-Hungarian forces + seven German divisions, broke through the Italian lines at Caporetto and pushed down to the River Piave. Italian soldiers fled in confusion. Caporetto was a NATIONAL HUMILIATION
Within a few days, Italy suffered 40,000 casualties, 280,000 prisoners of war and 350,000 deserters. It relinquished its wartime territorial gains and then had to fight the Central Powers inside its own borders.
December 1917:
establishment of a Parliamentary Union for National Defence. Local vigilante bodies also formed to dispense crude street justice to ‘unpatriotic’. Many members of these groups became supporters of Fascism post-war.
Battle of Vittorio Veneto
June 1918:
The Italians (+6 British and French divisions) repelled a massive Central Power assault on the Piave front.
25 October 1918:
Italian forces (+ B & F support) launched an offensive over the Piave and by 29 October had taken the strategic town of Vittorio Veneto. Austrians retreated in disorder back across the border.
3 November 1918:
Italian troops captured Trentino and entered Trieste.
In terms of sea operations:
1915 – 260,000 Serbian soldier and refugees were rescued
Several cruisers were sunk by German submarines
Two battleships destroyed in Italian ports by Italian traitors
1917 – successful hit and run actions by torpedo boats against two Austrian battleships
1918 – successful hits against Austrians in Adriatic
In the air:
Used out of date French aircraft
58 pilots / 91 aircraft at the start of the war
Mainly used for reconnaissance
Later enjoyed success against Austrians
Baracca (pilot) shot down 34 enemy aircraft
1918 – highly regarded Caproni CA heavy bomber was produced
Italians were anxious to discover what they would get for their sacrifices….
Armistice air and sea campaigns
In terms of sea operations:
1915 – 260,000 Serbian soldier and refugees were rescued
Several cruisers sunk by German submarines
Two battleships destroyed in Italian ports by Italian traitors
1917 – successful hit and run actions by torpedo boats against two Austrian battleships
1918 – successful hits against Austrians in Adriatic
In the air:
Used out of date French aircraft
58 pilots / 91 aircrafts- start of the war
Mainly used for reconnaissance
Later enjoyed success against Austrians
Baracca (pilot) shot down 34 enemy aircraft
1918 – highly regarded Caproni CA heavy bomber was produced
