North-Italian Offensive

Ill-fated attempt to push Austro-Hungarian back.

One of the major attempts to change the Sitzkrieg into something more active. The offensive in the North Italy was targeted at Austro-Hungarian forces that were seen as weaker than German Empire (and, certainly, less prepared in terms of thaumaturgic warfare).   Italian command was against it, but Entente was adamant and was ready to help the offensive generously, sending ten divisions and a lot of weapons. The effects, however, were disastrous. While early engagements were certainly favourable for the Entente, what followed was a disaster.   German Empire send a lot of thaumaturgical weaponry (plus soldiers), and Austro-Hungarian Empire send reinforcements as well. Offensive was stopped, and then a counteroffensive happened. Rest of Northern Italy fell, with Austro-Hungarian forces reaching French border. The Italian Army was decisively defeated, and the King in the end decided to sue for separate peace.   It was a massive setback for Entente that also led to increasing unrest among the Italian population that just now got at least some war enthusiasm and now lost everything. Austro-Hungarian Empire settled for demilitarizing north-eastern Italy (with Germany expecting much harsher treaty) and war contribution paid in food and resources.   Franz Ferdinand was expecting that Kingdom of Italy would rejoin the war if the situation was favourable, which he eased a bit by personal suggestions to Italian king about some post-war border corrections done according to national principles. He still had to keep soldiers near the border. However, the Italian front was out of the question, and his popularity as the Emperor to end the war grew.