Battle of Vittorio Veneto
Vittorio Veneto, Veneto, Italy
What happened
The Italian army under General Armando Diaz, with British, French and American units, fought the Austro-Hungarian army under Svetozar Boroević. In late October 1918, Italian forces crossed the Piave River. At the same time, Czech, South Slav and Hungarian groups were breaking away from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Austro-Hungarian command ordered a general retreat, and Italian troops entered Vittorio Veneto on 30 October.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the war on the Italian Front and helped bring about the break-up of Austria-Hungary. Hundreds of thousands of Austro-Hungarian soldiers were taken prisoner.
What came next
The Armistice of Villa Giusti was signed near Padua on 3 November and took effect on 4 November 1918. After the war, Italy gained South Tyrol and Trieste.
Did you know?
Italian swimmers called the 'Caimans of the Piave' carried messages across the icy river.
Timeline
- 15 June 1918Austria-Hungary attacks across the Piave.
- 24 October 1918The Italian offensive begins.
- 30 October 1918Italian troops enter Vittorio Veneto.
- 3 November 1918The Armistice of Villa Giusti is signed.
- 4 November 1918The ceasefire takes effect.