The 4 November 1918 is a date that will forever be etched in the history of Italy. On this day, General Armando Diaz, Supreme Commander of the Italian Army, announced with the famous Victory Bulletin the end of hostilities against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, sanctioning Italy's victory and the end of the First World War.
This moment marked the end of one of the most devastating conflicts for our country and the whole of Europe. 4 November marked the end of Austro-Hungarian rule over the Italian lands of Trentino, South Tyrol and Venezia Giulia. These territories, called 'irredenti' because they were still under foreign rule, finally returned to Italy. That day thus represented not only a military victory, but also a symbol of national unity and identity.
4 November continues to be a symbol of the valour and sacrifice of our ancestors and our armed forces. It is a date that reminds us of national pride and gratitude for those who fought with courage and for the unique love of country. Remembering this day also means reflecting on the importance of peace and the precious and arduous path that led to the construction of the Italy we know today.
The Victory Bulletin
War Bulletin No. 1268, better known as the 'Bulletin of Victory', was issued at 12 noon by the Supreme Command of the Royal Army and, in solemn words, celebrated the courage and sacrifice of the Italian Army and its allies. General Diaz extolled the heroism of the Italian soldiers, who for 41 months, from 24 May 1915 fought against an enemy often superior in numbers and means.
The war against Austria-Hungary that, under the high leadership of H.M. the King, supreme duce, the Italian Army, inferior in numbers and means, began on 24 May 1915 and with unwavering faith and tenacious valour conducted uninterruptedly and bitterly for 41 months, was won.
The gigantic battle, which took place on 24 October and in which fifty-one Italian, three British, two French, one Czechoslovakian and one American regiment divisions took part against seventy-three Austro-Hungarian divisions, is over.
The lightning and daring advance of the XXIX Army Corps on Trento, blocking the retreat routes of the enemy armies in Trentino, overwhelmed to the west by the troops of the VII army and to the east by those of the I, VI and IV, yesterday brought about the total collapse of the enemy front. From the Brenta to the Torre, the irresistible momentum of the 12th, 8th, 10th armies and cavalry divisions drove the fleeing enemy further and further back.
On the plain, HRH the Duke of Aosta advanced swiftly at the head of his invincible 3rd Army, yearning to return to the positions it had victoriously conquered and never lost.
The Austro-Hungarian Army is annihilated: it suffered extremely heavy losses in the fierce resistance of the first days and in the pursuit it lost huge quantities of all kinds of material and almost all of its warehouses and stores. It has so far left in our hands about three hundred thousand prisoners with entire staffs and no less than five thousand cannon.
The remnants of what was once one of the world's mightiest armies climb in disarray and without hope the valleys they had proudly descended.
