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Scenario Author:
RhinoBones
Map Author:
RhinoBones
Author's E-mail Address:
RhinoBones@aol.com
Last Scenario Revision Date:
VERSION 1.1
Ever since the beginning of hostilities between Austria-Hungary and
Italy, the Austrian Supreme Commander, Conrad von Hoetzendorf, planned
to use the salient of the Trentino sector as a springboard for a strategic
offensive into northeastern Italy. It was thought that severing the
communications lines along the Piave River would isolate all Italian forces
facing the Isonzo River, thereby making the capitulation of these forces
inevitable. Conrad, however, was faced with two problems, insufficient
troops to make the offensive viable and a tenacious enemy.
Conrad pressed his case for German support (i.e. German infantry) directly
to General Falkenhayn and the German General Staff. However, since
Germany was not yet technically at war with Italy and, more importantly,
all available German troops were committed to the western front at Verdun,
the Germans flatly declined to assist Conrad. Conrad, therefore,
was forced to strip troops from the Balkan and eastern fronts in order
to assembly the necessary assault forces. Drawing troops away from
the eastern front would prove to be nearly fatal to the central Power's
war effort when in June the Russians opened the Brusilov offensive.
This offensive would drive the Austria-Hungary forces remaining in Russia
all the way back to Galicia. A quick redeployment of German, Turkish
and Bulgarian troops against the Russians would be needed to save Austria-Hungary
from total disaster.
The Italians had also proved to be superb soldiers and mountain infantry, this in spite of their usually inept commanders. The preceding five Italian offensives along the Isonzo displayed their fighting spirit and their commitment to the war while facing incredible odds. In the mountains, at the Guidrari Pass, the Tonale Pass, the Giau Pass and at Mt. Adamello the Italian Alpine forces proved the equal of their attackers.
By the middle of May the Austria-Hungary host had been assembled in
Trentino. Their assault was initially effective as they surged through
the Italian rear line and captured the first two objectives of Asiago and
Arsiero. After this brief success, the Austria-Hungary assault forces
were exhausted and there were few reserves available to continue the attack.
The offensive came to a halt. By the end of June, Italian counter
attacks would recover most of the lost territory and the front lines would
again stabilize.
Author's Notes:
This scenario picks up the action with the opening day of the Austria-Hungary offensive. The initial objectives of Asiago and Arsiero should be easy to secure. Capture of the final objective at Padua signifies the severing of the Italian supply lines to the east and the eventual collapse of the Isonzo line.The Austrians posses naval forces at Trieste which can be used to strike westward, however, Italian MTBs are deployed which will block the path.
Victory Conditions
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Remarcks
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Last Update Changes
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