Battle of Col Moschin
Battle of World War I
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The Battle of Col Moschin (June 1918) also known as Capture of Col Moschin was a major engagement during the Italian campaign of the First World War. The Austrian general Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel pushed into Italian territories by capturing several Italian strongholds, however the counteroffensive led by Major General Giovanni Messe inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemies recapturing all the possession lost to the Austro–German army.[2]
| Battle of Col Moschin | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Battle of the Solstice of the First World War | |||||||
Royal Italian Army IX Assault Unit troops after the Battle of Col Moschin, June 1918 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of Italy |
Austria–Hungary German Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Giovanni Messe Giorgio Boccacci |
Viktor Scheuchenstuel Otto von Below | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 killed |
Unknown 400 prisoners[1] | ||||||
Background
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During the initial phase of the Battle of Solstice, Austrian general Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel attacked the Italian forces with aim of breaking through them, spreading into the Veneto plain and taking the Italian deployment from behind. The 27th Austro-Hungarian Division first attacked the Italian IX Army Corps and captured nearly all Italian strongholds near Brenta river.[3] The Austro–German troops took up positions on the peaks of Col di Miglio, Moschin, Fagheron and Fenilon, Palazzo Negri, Casa dei Pastori and Ca' dei Briganti. Although the Austrians har put the Italian Royal Army in difficult situation by capturing the plains, their own army was in worse condition than the Italians as the continuous assaults had consumed majority of their resources and Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel was unable to advance further without proper resources. In order to prevent enemies from reorganising, Major General Giovanni Messe was ordered to arrange an counteroffensive on the enemies, with 91st and 92nd Regiments of the "Basilicata" Brigade and Giorgio Bocacci as his second in command he moved towards Col del Gallo to launch a counteroffensive against the enemy.[3]
Battle
Capture of Quota 1318 and Col Fagheron
The counteroffensive by Giovanni Messe began on 15 June on 2pm, supported by Lieutenant Colonel Tomassetti and 91st Regiment commanded by Colonel Goffi the assault began.[4]
The assault began with Italian army under Giovanni Messe attacked Palazzo Negri, Casa dei Pastori and Ca' dei Briganti successfully defeating the Austrians them attacking height 1318 and easily capturing it from the Germans. The army under Captain Zancanaro moved towards Col Fagheron, a hand to hand combat took place between the Italians and Austrians, the Italians were able to overwhelm the enemies and capture the summit. The Austrians retreated into the woods and caves planning for a final resistance against the Italians however their attempt turned out to be unsuccessful as the Italians using flamethrowers to brun down the woods the shelter of their resistance.[5] The first phase of the action concluded in about a quarter of an hour; the Arditi were then able to regroup in the positions they had conquered, reinforced on the left by the 1st Battalion to avoid enemy counterattacks in that area, and proceed with the second phase of the operation.[6]
Capture of Col Moschin
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After an exploratory mission by the scouts sent by Major General Giovanni Messe, they reported the presence of enemies on the Fenilon and Moschin hills.[7] Giovanni Messe planned a second offensive against these enemies this time supported by the 92nd Regiment commanded by Colonel Mariotti.[8]
The offensive began at 8:30 pm, the Italians started artillery firings on the Austrians. Giovanni Messe carried out assaults on Col Fenilon which was surrounded by thick fog and after an hour of fierce fighting captured it and taking 85 Austrians as prisoners.[9] After this victory, the Italians aimed towards capturing Col Moschin. On 16 June at 7:00 pm, the Italian army, who had massed on the Col Moschin saddle an hour earlier, started the assault followed by the II Battalion, despite the artillery fire, which had started late, continuing beyond the time of the start of the assault, extending the fire beyond the expected moment. The assault is continued and after climbing the mountain and fighting for some time, army under the command of Giovanni Messe managed to conquer Col Moschin and inflicting heavy losses on Austrians in the process. The Italians captured 300 prisoners[10], 17 machine guns, a mountain cannon, two Italian batteries captured by the imperials and other material.[11][12]
Aftermath
,_Captain_Angelo_Zancanaro_(with_the_Alpine_Hat)_and_other_Arditi_officers_of_the_Italian_IX_Shock_Battalion_at_Pove_del_Grappa,_June_1918.png)
This battle demonstrated the effectiveness and capabilities of the Italian army especially the Arditi units when correctly supported by proper infantry and artillery. Giovanni Messe further prevented the Austrian to exploit the victories of Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel as well as from continuing into the Venetian plain, passing between the Brenta and the Piave.[13] The Italian army in this counteroffensive suffered minimal casualties of 5 killed and 80 wounded on the other hand the casualties of the Austrian army were unknown but heavy along with Italians capturing approximately 400 prisoners.[3]