A successful air attack on Venice by Austro-Hungarian naval aircraft. The back has a message datelined Wilhelmshaven, November 15, 1915(?).
Der erfolgreiche Luftangriff österr.-ung. Marineflugzeuge auf VenedigThe successful air raid by Austro-Hungarian.Marine aircraft on VeniceReverse:Cancelled on the Steamer Cöln(?)Message datelined Wilhelmshaven, November 15, 1915(?)
By mid-May 1915, Benito Mussolini, Gabriele D'Annunzio, and other pro-war activists were demonstrating, sometimes violently, in Rome, Milan, Venice, and Genoa for Italy to enter the war. The government had already agreed with France, Britain, and Russia to do so by May 26 and on May 23 it declared war on Austria-Hungary.From Switzerland to the Adriatic Sea, Austria-Hungary held the high ground along its border with Italy. On this narrow front northeast of Venice, Italy attacked repeatedly in eleven Battles of the Isonzo.Venice was never far from the front either by land, sea, or air. Austria-Hungary's Asiago Offensive shifted the primary theater of war from the Isonzo River in northeastern Italy to the Trentino in northern Italy on May 15, 1916, surprising the Italians and threatening to drive them from the mountains down to the Italian plain, potentially isolating the bulk of the Italian army. During this offensive, on May 10, Austrian aeroplanes bombed Vicenza, Venice, Thiere and Mestre, but caused little damage.On October 24, 1917 Austria-Hungary and Germany launched the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, the Battle of Caporetto. By October 26, the Austro-Germans, had driven the Italians from the Carso Plateau and were within sight of the Plain of Venice. In the next two days they took the town of Cividale and threatened Venice itself.Supported by French and British troops, the Italians, managed to halt the invasion on the Piave River. On December 12 Conrad sent a message to his troops saying they would attend Christmas Mass in Venice. They did not.On August 9, 1918, D'Annunzio commanded eight Ansaldo SVA-5s of the Venetian La Serenissima Squadron in the Flight over Vienna, dropping leaflets that noted he could return when he wished.
Venice, Italy is a city in Italy.
