When Italy signed the Treaty of London in April 1915, she gave up her position as a neutral nation on the promise of territorial gains from Austria, in particular, the Italian speaking areas of the Trentino and around Trieste. There was much support for this - General Cadorna called it ‘sacro egoismo’ – and the Italian battles would be fought in these areas. It is difficult terrain for fighting in both areas, with the Alps and Dolomites in the west and in the north east the Julian Alps where the River Isonzo flows down through the valleys, past the formidable defences on the heights of the Carso. These the Italians attacked 4 times in 1915 with very little effect although casualties mounted to more than 170,000. In May 1916 the Austrians attempted to break through to the coast across the Asiago Plateau. They were stopped by Italian reinforcements but the casualties were again high. General Cadorna mounted a new attack in the east; Gorizia was taken and some advance made but the Italians were exhausted. We will visit the defences at San Michele on the Carso and one can only marvel that men would think to take these heights, but more attempts were made - and failed. There were 11 battles of the Isonzo; both sides were exhausted and Austrian morale was crumbling.

In October 1917 Germany decided to prop up her ally. Six German divisions were sent and in a combined Austrian-German attack the Italians finally collapsed. The village of Caporetto was taken and Italian troops streamed back in retreat until they held along the Piave. Now Italy’s allies took a hand and six French and five British divisions were sent out, to the Asiago Plateau and the line of the Piave. For the men on the Asiago Plateau it was a mainly defensive role with much training, raids on the enemy’s strong points and the constant difficulty of supply but there are small British cemeteries reflecting the casualties from shelling, sniping and enemy raids. The final advance was on the plain, from the Piave towards Vittoria Veneto and we visit Papodopoli Island to see where General Cavan’s divisions fought across the wide river in one of the last actions in Italy.

Your guide on this tour will be Professor Richard Holmes whose great knowledge of the First World War and his empathy with the fighting men of all nations will make this a tour to remember. Spectacular scenery, good food and wine, and off-the-beaten-track battlefields.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Sunday): Fly London - Venice. Drive across the Veneto to our hotel in the old town of Udine for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After an introductory lecture ‘The Italian Front in the First World War” we drive north to visit the tunnels, trenches and fortifications at San Michele on the heights above Gorizia. We have lunch at Redipuglia where the Battlefield Park and Memorial are well worth a visit. On into Slovenia and up the valley of the Isonzo/Soca to Caporetto/Kobarid where will stay for 2 nights.
Day 3: This morning we look at the Austrian advance down the valley and the outflanking movement of Lt Rommel’s mountain troops. After a lunch break in Caporetto we visit the wonderful small museum and the amazingly well preserved trench systems high on the border between Slovenia and Italy.
Day 4: We leave Caporetto to drive back across the plain, breaking our journey with lunch near Montebelluno. We then visit the scene of the British 8th division action at Papodopoli Island on the Piave before travelling up the steep mountain road, built during the Great War, to the Asiago Plateau. We will stay for 3 nights in a comfortable hotel in the centre of this attractive town and tonight you can choose your own restaurant for dinner.
Day 5 & 6: We look at some of the small actions fought on the plateau, visit the museum at Canove and the CWGC cemetery where Vera Britten’s brother is buried with others killed in this remote spot.
Day 7: Back down the mountain, with spectacular views across the plain. Return flight from Venice to London.