Battle of the Piave River
Piave River, Veneto, north-east Italy
What happened
The Italian army under General Armando Diaz, with Allied help, fought the Austro-Hungarian army under Field Marshal Svetozar Boroević. In June 1918, Austria-Hungary launched its last great offensive against Italy across the Piave River. Its troops crossed and won a bridgehead, but Italian artillery destroyed many of their bridges, and the swollen river cut them off. Italy counter-attacked, and within a week Emperor Karl ordered a retreat.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was Austria-Hungary's last great offensive and marked the beginning of the empire's collapse. A German general wrote that he felt defeat for the first time.
What came next
By 23 June Italy had retaken all lost ground south of the Piave. Four months later, the Austro-Hungarian army collapsed at Vittorio Veneto.
Did you know?
Italians call the Piave the 'Sacred River of the Homeland', and a famous patriotic song, 'La leggenda del Piave', is about it.
Timeline
- 15 June 1918The Austro-Hungarian offensive begins.
- 20 June 1918Emperor Karl orders a retreat.
- 23 June 1918Italy recaptures all lost ground.
- October 1918Austria-Hungary's army collapses at Vittorio Veneto.