Monte Tomba (869m), Cavaso del Tomba

As a result of the disaster of Caporetto (oct - nov 1917), the Italian army was forced to move back more than 150km and a new defensive front was established on the Piave river on the latest alpine hills (Monte Grappa).

The Autumn Rain falls spread the course of the Piave river, which became militarily impassable. For Austrian generals, the best way to push the front was take control of the Grappa mountains, the last natural obstacle before the plain of Venice.

Mount grappa (1775m) had been very strongly fortified by a huge network of trenches, underground galleries and bunkers. Given the very steep nature of its slopes, the German-Austrian high command decided to attack by the wings from West towards Mont Asolone and especially to the East to mount Tomba, and then to easily break down the central part. In addition, the possession of the mount Tomba would be a good observation point and a domination strong point on the Italian trenches behind the Piave River.

From November 14th, the German-Austrian forces conquered the mountain peaks each after each other. The 20th, the Beretta pass is taken. 2 days later, the mount Pertica is in the hands of the German-Austrians, and the Württemberg mountain brigade of lieutenant Irwin Rommel manages to take possession of Mount Tomba.

On 15th December, the Russian sign the Brest-Litovsk treaty, freeing many German and Austrian divisions flocking to the West. The last German-Austrian offensive is launched from December 14th on the Mure Valley, but is stopped by the arrival of winter and snow.

In the 30th December 1917, after an unusual artillery preparation that will surprise the 50th Austrian infantry division, the mount Tomba is taken over by the 47th division of French Alpine hunters. In half an hour, more than 500 Austrians are killed and 1500 prisoners, while among Allies, there are 47 French killed and 4 Italians. The recovery of the mount Tomba causes a significant fall in the Austrian-German front and stops the battle for the rest of the winter.

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