The First World War

The Italian Army had the initiative in the operations attacking the enemy in the 11 Battles of the Isonzo that reduced the Austro-Hungarian Army on the brink of collapse. On the other hand the Imperial army launched a heavy offensive on the Pasubio and on the Asiago Plateau, that, had it been successful, would have allowed the enemy troops to overrun the Veneto Plain. This fascinating mountain region stretching from the Pasubio to the Grappa, that coincides with the modern day borders of the province of Vicenza, conditioned the course of the conflict between Italy and Austria for many months between 1915 and 1918. This statement must not be considered rash or exaggerated: whoever knows or closely analyses the development of the operations on the Italian front , will immediately understand the importance of controlling such positions, as the key area of the Asiago Plateau.

This explains why the Austro-Hungarians wanted to maintain the control of these positions with all means and with great tenacity and also why the Italians were so stubborn in trying to regain them. Vicenza being a border town, with the front a few dozen kilometres away, was declared a war zone as from 23rd May 1915 together with its whole province, implying the enforcement of a blackout in the provincial capital and in all inhabited areas. This Austrian offensive was not only blocked, but a clever manoeuvre on internal lines led to an offensive on the Isonzo front that liberated Gorizia (August 1916).

Artiglieria da Marina austriaca, cal. 305 mm