Page 52 - The Secret War in the Italian front in WWI (1915-1918)

THE SECRET WAR ON THE ITALIAN FRONT IN WWI (1915 – 1918)

They talked about the Austro-
Hungarian military policy of
the time, the organisational
structure of the Austro-
Hungarian Army and the
Double Monarchy’s defensive
strategy (see pictures 3.2
and 3.3). In his post-mission
report, Montanari explained
the reasons of the failure of
Alfred Conrad von Hötzendorf
Austro-Hungarian Chief of
General Staff, against Italy
before 1912, writing: “Conrad
wanted a war against Italy
and all military authorities
approved his intentions,
which depended on military
and political needs and not
on the animosity against the
Italian people. […] Italy is
troubled and unstable. It is
a source of tension and the
current war with Turkey,
which no one could predict,
proves it. Once and for all, we
need to settle our situation in
the Balkans. Hence, we need
to eliminate the danger Italy 3.2 Summary of Austro-Hungarian operational planning for the war
poses. But Conrad failed, against Italy obtained through espionage
since the Emperor and the
political parties refused a war against Italy and part of the public, especially the Hungarians, were
on their side” .
12
The disclosure of Conrad’s war scheme, foreseeing a preventive attack against Italy, Serbia
and Montenegro at the same time, greatly alarmed the Italian military leaders during the partial
mobilisation of the Austro-Hungarian army, which occurred in occasion of the Balkan wars.
However, in January 1914, during a conference in the presence of the Austrian ministers of war
and foreign affairs, Count Sternberg, listing the main reasons for the Austro-Hungarian non-
participation in the first Balkan war, admitted: “Now we can openly say that the Army was not well
equipped, and we knew of the presence of elusive traitors among top-ranking officers. Colonel

12 Conrad was the Chief of Austro-Hungarian General Staff, according to his memoir of 1909, Austria had to attack Italy, Serbia,
and Montenegro at the same time, in case of situation worsening in the Balkans. (Eastern Theatre Report, Atteggiamento
dell’Austria verso l’Italia: mire dell’Austria Ungheria nei Balcani nel momento attuale (Attitude of Austria toward Italy, aims
of Austria-Hungary in Balkans at present time), October 1912, AUSSME, G-22 Series).

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