Italy Enters World War I on May 24, 1915
Joining the Allied Powers
On May 24, 1915, Italy officially entered World War I on the side of the Allied Powers. The decision to join the war was made after months of secret negotiations with the Allied powers, led by France and Great Britain.
The Pact of London
On April 26, 1915, Italy secretly signed the Pact of London with France, Great Britain, and Russia. The pact promised Italy significant territorial gains in exchange for entering the war. These gains included the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the Istrian Peninsula, and the Dalmatian coast.
Mobilization and Deployment
Following the signing of the pact, Italy began mobilizing its army. On May 24, 1915, almost half a million Italian soldiers began marching towards the border with Austria-Hungary. The Italian army was poorly equipped and had limited experience in modern warfare.
Consequences of Entry
Italy's entry into the war had a significant impact on the conflict. It opened up a new front in the war and forced Austria-Hungary to divert troops from the eastern front. The war also brought significant devastation to Italy, with an estimated 600,000 Italian soldiers killed or wounded during the conflict.
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