War chronicle · 23 May · Rome, Italy
Italy joins the Allies
Soldiers face freezing temperatures and treacherous terrain on the Italian Front.
On 23 May, the Kingdom of Italy joins the Allies and declares war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This creates a new theatre of war – the Italian Front. Its sheer cliffs, glaciers, and mountain peaks are feared as much as the enemy.
Much of the fighting happens in alpine conditions, at altitudes up to 3650m and temperatures of –30°C. ‘White death’ – by avalanche – is constantly in the back of soldiers’ minds. Everything they need to stay alive and fight, including artillery pieces, must be hauled up the steep and slippery terrain.
It will take three and a half years of bitter fighting before the Austro-Hungarians finally admit defeat. The casualties are enormous: more than 1 million dead or wounded on both sides.
Photos & objects
