The Rocky Road Northwards: The Story of Italy at War

[robou]

The Rocky Road Northwards: A WW1 Italian AAR

The Rocky Road Northwards

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Welcome to my new WW1 Italy AAR. As some of you know, i was doing some modding for an Austrian Civil War AAR, but while the modding is going well, the game is not, as it continues to crash when i load it. This will be fixed and i intend to do that AAR in the late summer. But anyway, on with this one.

I am going to put it to the audience, which form of AAR would you like to see? Gameplay or History Book?

First update should come later today, depending on how much response i get for the form of AAR. See you then.

Ciao!
Rob
PS. So many thanks to Wannabe Tatar for The WOTNs mod which i am using for this...

 

[tylerhink]

The Rocky Road Northwards

​

Welcome to my new WW1 Italy AAR. As some of you know, i was doing some modding for an Austrian Civil War AAR, but while the modding is going well, the game is not, as it continues to crash when i load it. This will be fixed and i intend to do that AAR in the late summer. But anyway, on with this one.

I am going to put it to the audience, which form of AAR would you like to see? Gameplay or History Book?

First update should come later today, depending on how much response i get for the form of AAR. See you then.

Ciao!
Rob
PS. So many thanks to Wannabe Tatar for The WOTNs mod which i am using for this...

Great! I love WWI AAR's!

 

[robou]

The State of Italy: August 1914

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The Rocky Road Northwards: Giornale Italie No.1 August 1914​

Italy, as a nation, is not in a great state nearing the middle of 1914. The economy is near bankrupt, and the army is small and inefficient compared to its European neighbours. However, the country does have a few aces up her sleve. Firstly, she has the second largest fleet, Britain of course leading, in the mediterranean sea. She also has a reasonable colonial empire in Northern and Eastern Africa. Using these, she has a great chance of controlling certain sea lanes, if she can one day compete with Britain.

Her holding consist of:

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Mainland Italy. Having lost land to France, and still needing to gain some from the decaying Hapsburg Empire, her primary goals are the conquest of all Italian lands and the Dalmatian coast, so to have monopoly over the Adriatic Sea.

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Lybia, gained off the Ottoman Empire in 1911, is still not fully under Italian control, but this can be sorted out after wars in Europe are done.

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Africa Orientale Italiana, what many hope will become the crown jewels of the Italian colonial holdings. More work to be done here as well, but again, it can wait.

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Last but not least, the Island of Rhodes. Also gained off the Ottomans in 1911, it could act as a useful invasion springboard and naval base for wars in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Seas.

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These charts show Italy's general population status in 1914. Politically, the facists have a worryingly large ammount of support, but the Socialists are in firm control, but war in Europe, esepcially if it includes Italy, is likely to increase the Facists vote.

But for now the armies of France, Britain, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Serbia and Belgium march to war, while Italy and the Ottomans sit on the side lines waiting to find the best momment to move in for the kill.

 

[unmerged(86922)]

Robou, I am gonna follow this, but you need to update the co-op aar. It is getting dull.I might leave it.

 

[robou]

Robou, I am gonna follow this, but you need to update the co-op aar. It is getting dull.I might leave it.

Thats about as dead as they come now, but glad to have you along here

 

[unmerged(86922)]

Thats about as dead as they come now, but glad to have you along here

Well I am alraedy this loving the aar. It sounds cool.

 

[robou]

Naval Reorganisation: August 1914

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The Rocky Road Northwards: Giornale Italie No.2 August 1914​

With the Navy being the one strong point of the Italian nation, it was decided by Comando Supremo Italiana (CSI), stationed in Rome, that the country would continue to advance their naval design to compete with that of the modern British and German Fleets. This would also be crucial later for building ships of a much higher calibre then the ones currently in commission.

The Italian Dreadnought Dante Alighieri was the most modern Italian vessel of her time

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With war looming ahead of the nation, the Navy decided it was time to reorganise itself. Like many other nations it would call on a large, well armed High Seas Fleet to defeat the enemy fleet in a single decisive engagement. The Italian navy organised the newly formed Regia Marina, based in Taranto.

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She comprised of three heavily armed Dreadnoughts, twelve older Battleships, three Modern Armoured Cruisers and five older Protected Cruisers, making for a total of 23 modern ships-of-the-line. She was a formidable force capable of dealing serious damage to other fleets.

The newly formed Regia Marina at dock, Taranto, August 1914​

This fleet was lead by the capable hands of Grand Admiral Revel

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However, unlike other fleets, the Italians also adopted, to a small extent, the under-valued Rensslaer Paradigm. She kept the Battleship Sardegna and the Protected Cruisers Calabria, Piemonte and Marco Polo (servicing in the East China sea, though quickly ordered home when war was declared) to cruise the seas at their captains leisure. There were also four submarine packs to be used for scouting measures as well.

Currently the Italians had twenty seven ships-of-the-line in service, as well as four submarine flotillas. She was currently waiting on five ships from various shipyards.

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The three Dreadnoughts Conte di Cavour, Duilio and Andrea Doria would be exchanged with the Regia Marina for three battleships which would take up the Rensslaer Paradigm, as would the Protected Cruisers Campania and Basilicata.

Conte di Cavour one month prior to its launch, May 1915 ​

With the navy prepared as such, CSI believed that control of the seas would be no problem for the Italian nation. However, victory could not be achieved only via the seas, but would have to be won on land as well. Therefore the Italian Army, in a much worse state then that of the Navy would have some work to do before it was battle-worthy.

 

[tylerhink]

So Far, this is a great AAR. I like the quick updates.

 

[unmerged(61356)]

Good stuff so far. Italy is always fun.

 

[robou]

Army Reorganisation: August 1914

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The Rocky Road Northwards: Giornale Italie No.3 August 1914​

The CSI was worried about the state of the Army. It consisted of twelve Regular Infantry Divisions, though three of them were trained as Alpini (Mountain) troops, as well as three cavalry. These were organised as such:

I. Corpo d'Armata - 3 Infantry Divisions

II. Corpo d'Armata - 3 Infantry Divisions

III. Corpo d'Armata - 3 Infantry Divisions

I. Corpo d'Alpino - 3 Infantry/Alpine Divisions and 3 Cavalry Divisions.

Also in reserve were twleve divisions of Milicia Republicana , ready to be called out to battle. Luigi Cadorna, newly appointed Chief of Staff by the CSI decided within his first few hours that this citizen body of troops should be extended to cover at least twenty-four divisions of Milicia that would hugely supplement the Army in the battles to come.

Milicia Republicana in Milan show off their new truck that the army supplied them with. Under Cadorna the Milicia was supplied with vast ammounts of new equipment, uniforms and vehicles. ​

However, it was clear to Cadorna that supplement via the Milicia alone would not be enough. Cadorna estimated that the need to raise ten new regular divisions of infantry and one of cavalry would be nessercary to win any war in Europe. All in all this would bring the whole army, including reserves, to a strength of forty-seven divisions. This would hopefully be enough.

The Savoia Cavalry were the most highly respected unit in Italy at the time. Their fame, and their numbers, would decrease throughout the wartime period.​

Cadorna also reorganised the positioning of certain forces, all to fit into his 'Grand Plan' doctrine, which he had prepared in the event of a major European war. The I. Corpo d'Alpino would be split into the Alpini Divisions and the I. Corpo de Cellere, which would contain the three cavalry divisions.

Troop placements in Northeastern Italy according to Cadorna's 'Grand Plan', August 1914.​

He also dispatched the the III. Corpo d'Armata, which had been residing in Rome, to Lybia to deal with any revolts there. The threat of revolt was, however, much higher then Cadorna had, or could of, expected.

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[robou]

Feed Back

So Far, this is a great AAR. I like the quick updates.

well this update rate is only gonna last for the easter holidays (minus next week as i am in france) so enjoy it while you can. And thanks

Good stuff so far. Italy is always fun.

thanks!

 

[robou]

War News August 14th - September 26th

Current News in the War:

Foreign Fronts
Just south of the Italian docking at Taranto, the German Mediterranean Squadron, comprising of Battlecruiser Von Goeben and the and the Crusiser Breslau were engaged, in overwhelming numbers by Entente Fleets. The Von Goeben was badly damaged and sunk the day after the battle. The Breslau tried to make for a neutral port, namely in Spain, but was destroyed three days after the Von Goeben . This act deeply upset the Ottoman Empire, a principle friend of the Germans, though not yet in the war. It now look as if the Ottomans would join the Central powers, despite France pleading it not to.



In Europe the Germans have advanced, with speed, into Belgium and parts of Northern France, around Lille. It would seem that the Germans intend to cut the French 1st and 2nd Armies, and the BEF off from the sea rather than cuting through the trench lines along the Franco-German border, as was expected by most military commanders of the Entente forces.



Italian News

The III. Corpo d'Armata arrive in Tripoli just in time as....



The Duc d'Aosta, commder of Italian forces in Lybia, sends his troops towards the rebels immediately.



Only time will tell if Italy can hold onto her colonies with the population resenting their controller so much. However, if III. Corpo can reach the area in time, the Rebels will not be able to resist Italian armaments.

 

[robou]

Can i urge any silent readers to please comment/give critical advice as it means a lot to me as the writer, and it is more posts towards those 3,000..... though i don't want to force it on you...

 

[Hastu Neon]

Oh, a neat and interesting AAR on Italian WWI. I will follow this, maybe soon we will know if Rome will honour the Triple Alliance or go with the Entente to get back lands from the evil Habsburgs!

 

[robou]

Cadorna's 'Grand Plan'

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The Rocky Road Northwards: Giornale Italie No.4 August 1914​

On September 4th, 1914, a dispatch rider from Verona, Luigi Cadorna's HQ to be precise, arrived at CSI office in Rome. With him he was carrying the most important military document in Italy. It was the so called 'Grand Plan' devised by Cadorna himself. The Plan went along the lines of this:

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Red Lines - Initial Infantry advances to captue important Austro-Hunganrian fortresses.
Blue Lines - Cavalry advances to capture the naval base at Trieste and the Slovenian Plateau
Black Lines - Secondary Infantry advances
Yellow Circles - Holding points

Using this tactic, the Regio Escertio could quickly take over Austrian fortresses (superior to many Italian counterparts) and use the Alps to their advantage. These operations would be supported by a revolutionary tactic. Cadorna advocated the use of quick 'hit-and-run' raids along the largely undefended Dalmatian coastline, striking at ports and resource centres forcing the Austrians to divert forces away from the main fronts. Though at first sceptical, the Regia Marina supported the idea as it would likely give them action against Austrian vessels gaurding the shore. Therefore, the CSI decided to pass the Cadorna Doctrine and the Regio Escertio and Regia Marina started preparing as such.

Italian mountain troops, the Alpini, practice rock climbing in preparation for the campaigns to come. ​

 

[unmerged(37096)]

Ah, so the choice is to take the historical path and join the Allies (probably the better choice).

I think you are following the right course by trying to capture those Austrian forts now before they can be properly garrisoned.

I can't help but wonder about the diversionary attacks on the Dalmatian coastline. Austria is stretched so thin at the start of the war, you my find that they concede the coastline with little resistance.

Looking forward to see where this goes...

 

[unmerged(75640)]

Its not historical. The Italians did honor the Triple Alliance but then in 1915 they switched sides. Now if it is worked right Italy could get all their lands from Austria and then as the Entente starts battering away the Central Powers Italy could join the Central Powers and tip the scales in favor of the Kaiser and Der Weltkrieg.

 

[robou]

Feedback

Oh, a neat and interesting AAR on Italian WWI. I will follow this, maybe soon we will know if Rome will honour the Triple Alliance or go with the Entente to get back lands from the evil Habsburgs!

Thanks, Enjoy.... and i have decided to join the Entente....for now

Ah, so the choice is to take the historical path and join the Allies (probably the better choice).

I think you are following the right course by trying to capture those Austrian forts now before they can be properly garrisoned.

I can't help but wonder about the diversionary attacks on the Dalmatian coastline. Austria is stretched so thin at the start of the war, you my find that they concede the coastline with little resistance.

Looking forward to see where this goes...

Indeed, but i also might be able to destory the entire Austrian fleet by doing this, and hence why the Regia Marina are so happy about the assignement, as i fear the British and French will have done much of the work by 1915...

Its not historical. The Italians did honor the Triple Alliance but then in 1915 they switched sides. Now if it is worked right Italy could get all their lands from Austria and then as the Entente starts battering away the Central Powers Italy could join the Central Powers and tip the scales in favor of the Kaiser and Der Weltkrieg.

I wouldn't say they honoured the Triple Alliance. They didn't declare war on the Entente, and i certainly havent. I will declare war via event in May 1915 as per historical date.

 

[robou]

Death in the Desert

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The Rocky Road Northwards: Giornale Italie No.2 September 1914​

By mid-september the Italian troops stationed in Lybia had finished their march from Tripoli into the interior of the country. They fought for the rest of the month around the Al Aswad Oasis. While the bedouins fought long and hard against the Italian agressors, the Italians use of trucks, heavy guns and air reconisence (first mastered by the Italians in the 1911 war with Turkey where the first bomb was ever dropped from an aeroplane) began to show, and bedouin numbers began to drop.

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Eventually the province came back under the control of Italy and the troops moved onto secure more territory further west, in the Fezzan. However, they left behind them a scene of destruction and death, as the Duc d'Aosta had been ordered to have no mercy in a repression against the bedouins.

By the Time the Italians left the Al Aswad province around an 8th of the population had been killed by the Italian troops.​

With Libya secure again, the Italian troops could be called back to the mainland ready for the war against Austria, which had already been planned in the London Protocol. There was now no doubt Italy was going to war.

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[robou]

War News: September 26th - April 1st

The Current War situation around the world:

Just off the Italian coast at Bari, the Main Austrian Fleet and two British Squadrons meet in combat.

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The battle ended with the Austrian fleet having lost a single Battleships and the British having lost all but a Cruiser and a Battleship. This battle was the first time that the world was shown the power of the Dreadnaught, whcih only the Austrians possesed here.

After four days the French Mediterranean fleet arrived to do battle with the Austrians.

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This ended with the French and Austrians beating eachother into pulp and the Austrians ended with four ships, the French with three. Crucially the Austrians had lost two dreadnaughts with severly soften their naval prowess.

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Italian News:

Cadorna finally recieves new Milicia Republicana divisions, but it is still 8 divisions short of his requested allowence. He mobilises them to the front and hopes it will be enough to shatter the Austrian war machine.

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The Conte de Cavour is finally finished at the Navalyards of Taranto and is deployed with the Regia Marina. The Battleship Napoli is repositioned to Bari where it will serve in a Rensslaer Squadron with the Cruiser Marco Polo (recently returned from service in the far east).

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A look at the Fronts:

First off, the Western Front

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Trench warfare is setting in here but a successful French attack at Metz may prove vital.

The Ottoman fronts

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Ottomans are on the defensive with the Russians making quick gains in the Caucus mountains and the British mounting small offensives in Palastine

The Eastern Front

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The Russians mounted a successful attack into Silesia but have now been cut off by German and Austrian counterattacks. With Warsaw in German hands as well, the Eastern front does not look good for the Entente.

The Balkan front

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The Serbians have mounted good attacks in the early stages of the war but have not moved for the past 4 months. Their situation seems to be getting worse. Perhaps, now with the entry of the Romanians into the war, the tide can be turned again.

West Africa

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The Entente in firm contol of the situation here

East Africa

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Could swing either way.

In Southern Africa the South Africans have successfully attacked deep into German territory but there is little to gain in the area.
In the far east, reports brought back by the Marco Polo suggest the the Germans have taken the British provinces in eastern China and that while the Germans took over South New Guinea the ANZAC forces successfully landed on the northern side of the island. The reports are sketchy.

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Ok that brings us up-to-date on the prewar stuff and next update will have the action starting in proper
Enjoy
Rob