| Home > Battle Histories > Italy > The Battle of the Asiago, 15 - 16 June 1918 |
The
last attack of the Austro-Hungarian Army |
The
Austro-Hungarian Army found itself with many extra Divisions once the
Russian Army had collapsed, and the peace treaties had been signed in
March 1918. A decisive pincer attack against Italy was decided upon,
from the north (Asiago) and east (Piave). Ludendorff appealed to the
Austrians to take offensive action when it became clear by late April
that his great offensives on the Western Front had failed to bring about
a decision. At Asiago, the plan was to reach the southern edge of the
Asiago woods by the end of the first day; at the same time Monte
Grappa would be captured; then the main thrust would be towards Treviso. The
Austrians had 47 infantry and 8 cavalry Divisions, with 6,800 artillery
weapons. The Allies had 54 infantry, 4 cavalry and 7,500 guns. The attack
was launched on 13th June 1918, in four areas. An attack in the Tonale
Pass against Italian forces was utterly defeated; two days later came
attacks between the Adige and Monte Grappa, and another along
the Piave. This page concerns the centre section. A British offensive
in the same area had been envisaged for 18th June, and consequently more
heavy artillery than would otherwise have been the case was available,
including that of the 7th Division. |
Where
the battle took place |
The
Asiago Plateau lies North of Vicenza. It was believed
by both sides to be critical, in that an advance by the Austro-Hungarians
would endanger
the whole Italian position on the River Piave. The
Plateau forms a step in the descent from the Alps to the sea. The ground
is a downhill
slope,
'a confusion of rugged pine-clad hills and valleys, bare rock where
there
are no trees, with spurs projecting towards Asiago...At the bottom
of the slope was the new British front line. The Plateau itself measures
some 7 miles from east to west, and three miles north to south. On
the
left the trenches faced each other across an impassable gorge, 2000
feet deep. Elsewhere No Man's Land was at its narrowest half a mile
wide'.
(Official History). |
British
Order of Battle |
What
happened |
In this attack, ground initially won by the Austrian army from the Italians was successfully recovered by the British. The British front was being held by the 23rd and 48th Divisions, both well under-strength due to lack of reinforcements and cases of influenza, and each holding 4000 yards of line. For example in the 144th Brigade, where companies should have been 250 strong, they averaged 75. The artillery of the 7th Division, then in reserve, was close to the front too. The Italian and British Armies received good intelligence about the forthcoming attack. At 3am on 15th June, a heavy bombardment including gas opened on the entire British front and battery positions. However, the fire was not registered nor accurate, but brought trees down and sent lareg rock splinters flying. Artillery signalling lines were soon out of action. British counter-battery work commenced at 5am and was throughout the day very successful. The infantry attack opened at 7am, and the battle soon broke in the mist and wooded country into fragemented local affairs, with hand to hand fighting. The 23rd Division lost a little ground at the flanks but recovered it during the day. The front of the 48th Division was broken at several places but again this was recovered by early on the 16th. British patrols were sent out, in the belief that the Austrians were confused and demoralised, but they ran into resistance that suggested otherwise. |
Casualties |
The
total British casualties amounted to just under 1,500 of
all ranks, killed, wounded and missing. The enemy were sorely beaten,
their losses heavy. During the period 14-25th June, the Austrian Eleventh
Army lost almost 50,000 men, of which a substantial portion was at
Asiago. |
The
Learning Curve |
British
defensive doctrine and training held up well in this rather confused
action. The losses of ground can be attributed to mist and to the lack
of men, and the recovery to flexible and quick response, from a deeper
position. Had the front line been more strongly held, it is probable
that no break-in would have occurred, but at the cost of more lives. |
Summary |
The
Austrian offensive, aimed at decisive victory, was defeated at Asiago
and the other places attacked. They were never to attack again. It
has been said that by this date they were badly
clothed, equipped and fed. This is not so. They were however, in
a poor fighting condition: 'they had drink taken ... the support
troops ... seemed definitely inferior and unused to shellfire'. |
 The
Battle of the Piave, taking place at the same time; Forward to the
Allied advance in October 1918's Battle of Vittorio Veneto |