WW I: October 24 to Nov. 4: The Battle of Vittorio Veneto in Italy

ITALY:  BATTLE OF VITTORIO VENETO

October 24 to November 4, 1918

The U.S. 332nd Infantry Regiment's (83rd Infantry Division) 2nd Battalion defeats Austrians at Gravo di Papdopoli on November 3,

Armistice in Italy is declared on November 4 --  one week before the more famous one in France.

--Cooter

There Was Another Armistice Ending Fighting in WW I: Armistice of Villa Giusti

While researching the 332nd U.S. Infantry Regiment, I came across an armistice between Italy and Austria-Hungary that ended fighting in the Italian Front a week before the better known 11th hour of the 11th month one ended fighting between Germany and the Allies.  See my July 25 entry in this blog.

From Wikipedia.

The Armistice of Villa Giusti ended fighting between the forces of Italy and Austria-Hungary on the Italian Front during World War I.  It was signed 3 November 1918, to take effect 24-hours later at 3 p.m. 4 November.

By the end of October 1918, the Austria-Hungarian Army was extremely fatigued and tired of the fighting, forcing its leaders to seek a cease-fire.  The Vittorio-Venito Offensive at the end of October sealed its fate as Austrian-Hungarian soldiers withdrew chaotically.

Even though the armistice was to start 3 November, Austrian-Hungarian commanders ordered their men to stop fighting 3 November.

--Cooter

Doughboys of 332nd Regt. to Italy-- Part 2: Vittoria-Venito Offensive

The American pilots served with Italian bombardment groups on bombing raids behind Austrian lines and were especially active during the  Vittorio-Venito Offensive.

The principal mission of the Americans was to build up Italian morale and depress the enemy's by making them think large numbers of Americans were getting ready to join the battle lines in Italy.  The 332nd first was given time to learn methods of mountain fighting which comprised a greater part of operations in the Italian theater of operations.

Moved up to the front lines, the 332nd stages constant movements during the day for Austrians to see, then went back at night and did it again, the next day.

They took part in the Vittorio-Venito Offensive 24 October-4 November 1918 in which Austrian troops were pushed back until an armistice was signed at 3 p.m. November 4, ending the fighting between the Austrian-Hungarians and Italians.

The unit was involved in peacekeeping duties after that until the 332nd was disbanded in 1919.

--Cooter