On October 2, the Italians launched their offensive against the Germans along the front line in Villach, a strategic crossroads connecting the Vienna–Weynes and Belgrade–Saalburg railways.
Villach sat at a slightly lower pass in the eastern Alps, where the Carinthia Valley cuts through the mountains. The Italians focused their attack here.
Surveying the battlefield, they were surprised to find that German defenses were thin. Though some fortifications had been constructed along the valley, only about 1,500 German troops manned the front lines.
This discovery delighted the Italian commanders. Taking Villach would be relatively inexpensive in terms of manpower, a rare opportunity. Confident, they immediately ordered an attack.
A brigade of Italian soldiers advanced under heavy artillery cover, aiming to seize the German positions.
Meanwhile, Walther Model nervously observed the advancing Italians from a valley fortress, binoculars in hand. Italy had fought in the Alps during World War I and had experienced mountain warfare, giving its soldiers an advantage. The Germans, by contrast, lacked this experience, which made Model apprehensive about the effectiveness of his tactics.
If Model had been a veteran of the elite German units left after the 1919 disarmament, he might not have worried. Even though the German army was smaller than in previous years, it remained disciplined and formidable. Yet as a relatively young officer, he knew the challenge ahead was dangerous.
Boom—
Although not an industrial powerhouse, Italy still had sufficient industrial capacity, and their artillery fire at the start of the battle was fierce. Explosions rocked the German positions, but the steep terrain and cleverly placed fortifications prevented most shells from causing serious damage. Many bunkers and forts were constructed at angles that made them nearly impervious to indirect fire unless the Italians hauled cannons up the slopes for direct fire.
The Italians, unaware of these defensive advantages, believed their bombardment had been effective. Without conducting proper reconnaissance, they sent infantry forward in large numbers.
Model's worry disappeared. Watching the Italian soldiers advance, he realized they had walked straight into a trap.
"With such a narrow pass, isn't sending infantry here like sending them to their deaths?" one staff officer muttered.
"Order everyone not to fire freely. Wait for my command!" Model instructed calmly. Despite the Italians' recklessness, he treated the situation seriously.
The Italian soldiers, wrapped in thick winter clothing, advanced like cumbersome balls. The strong valley wind caused many to stagger, and some fell off cliffs even before encountering German fire. Remarkably, their comrades remained composed, revealing their experience in mountainous terrain.
Observing this, Model noted that mountain warfare demanded attention not only to enemy threats but also to environmental hazards. He decided that when he returned, soldiers under his command would receive additional training in anti-slip measures and proper winter equipment to reduce non-combat losses.
After roughly fifteen minutes, the Italian vanguard reached the German defenses. Regardless of visibility, they instinctively fired at the unseen enemy, believing that gunfire might intimidate the defenders.
But Villach had long been fortified. Before Model's arrival, Austrian troops had constructed extensive defensive positions. Model improved these fortifications further, making the line even more formidable.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
When the Italians drew within fifty meters, Model gave the order:
"Fire! Hit them hard!"
The quiet German positions erupted in a torrent of concentrated fire. The advancing Italian soldiers were met with overwhelming force, caught completely off guard by the disciplined and lethal response.