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

Melting Italian Glacier reveals Dead from World War I

From the October 2, 2012, Gadling "Retreating Italian Glacier Reveals Dead From World War I" by Sean McLachlan.

Two bodies were discovered on an Italian mountain at Presena Glacier in the Treino-Alto Adige region of the Dolmites at 9,850 feet.

The bodies are believed to have been from an artillery unit of the Austro-Hungarian Army killed in 1918.

The skeletons were identified by remnants of uniform and insignia.  Their names have not been found.

During the war, Italians fought the Austro-Hungarian troops in the bitter cold mountain tops.

A favorite tactic of both sides was to fire artillery shells above enemy positions and start avalanches, which is most likely what happened to this pair.

--Cooter