The 6th Army was a

field army A field army (also known as numbered army or simply army) is a military formation in many armed forces, composed of two or more corps. It may be subordinate to an army group. Air army, Air armies are the equivalent formations in air forces, and ...

of the

Royal Italian Army The Royal Italian Army () (RE) was the land force of the Kingdom of Italy, established with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy. During the 19th century Italy started to unify into one country, and in 1861 Manfredo Fanti signed a decree c ...

which was formed in

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

World War I

The Sixth Army was first formed on 1 December 1916 under command of Ettore Mambretti. This Army was created primarily from the First Army. By August 1916 the First Army had grown from its original composition of two Corps (Corpo d'Armata) to six Corps. Included in its Order of Battle were the XII Corps (under General Zoppi), the XX Corps (under General Montuori) and the XVIII Corps (under General Etna). The first two of these units were given the responsibility for the defense of the Altopiano di Asiago, a high plateau northwest of Vicenza. Because of the assignment to this sector, these two Corps were officially identified as Truppe Altipiani (Highland Troops). The Truppe Altipiani were commanded by General Mambretti. They remained under the control of the First Army until the new Sixth Army was formed, commanded also by Mambretti. In November 1916 the First Army with Supreme Commander General Cardorna's consent, had planned "Action K", a code name for a counteroffensive targeting Monte Ortigara using General Mambretti's Truppe Altipiani as well as the XVIII Corps. This action was cancelled due to heavy snows. On December 1, 1916, Mambretti was placed in charge of a new Sixth Army taking his XX Corps (Truppe Altipiani) as well as the XVIII Corps (First Army). Added to these troops was another Corps, the XXII Corps under General Negri di Lamporo. The Italian Command would later reprise and augment the Action K plan for June 1917. The new Sixth Army under Mambretti was given the responsibility to conduct this operation, having added another Army corps, the XXVI Corps (General Fabbri). The Sixth Army fought the

Battle of Mount Ortigara The Battle of Mount Ortigara was fought from 10 to 25 June 1917 between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies for possession of Mount Ortigara, in the Asiago Plateau. Battle The attack began on 10 June and after fierce and bloody fighting, ...

in June 1917. After the failure of this attack, Mambretti was dismissed on 20 July 1917. What remained of the Sixth Army, now headed by General Donato Etna, was repositioned in Val Sugana in August for defensive purposes. Then, on September 20, 1917, the Sixth Army was disbanded and re-formed into the Highland Troop (Truppe Altipiani) Command. It was again under the command of the First Army. The Truppe Altipiani was commanded by General Zoppi and consisted of the XXVI Corps (Gen. Fabbri), the XXII Corps (Gen. Scotti), the XXV Corps (Gen. Ravazza) and the XX Corps (Gen. Ferrari). Generale Montuori

After the disastrous defeat at Caporetto (November 1917) the Italian Army was completely reorganized by

Armando Diaz Armando Diaz, 1st Duke della Vittoria, (5 December 1861 – 28 February 1928) was an Italian general and a Marshal of Italy. He is mostly known for his role as Chief of Staff of the Regio Esercito during World War I from November 1917. He ...

. The Truppe Altipiani Command was dissolved on March 1, 1918, and a new 6th Italian Army was formed under command of Luca Montuori. Initially the newly re-constituted Sixth Army consisted of the XIV Corps Brittanico (British Expeditionary Force) replacing the XXVI Corps Italian, the XII Corps Francese (French Expeditionary Force) replacing the XXV Corps Italian, and the XX Corps Italian. Various other army corps were placed into the Sixth Army over time, including units of the Czechoslovak Legion of Italy. This Army was again placed in the Asiago Plateau between the First and Fourth Armies. The XIII Corps Italian (under Gen. Sani) was added later. It participated in the successful Battle of the Piave River (June 1918) in the mountain sector (the Second Battle of Tre Monti). Prior to the also successful

Battle of Vittorio Veneto The Battle of Vittorio Veneto was fought from 24 October to 3 November 1918 (with an armistice taking effect 24 hours later) near Vittorio Veneto on the Italian Front during World War I. After having thoroughly defeated Austro-Hungarian troops ...

(October–November 1918), the Sixth Army lost both the British Corps, which became part of the new Tenth Army (although the British 48th Division remained), and the French Corps, which became part of the new Twelfth Army. The XII Corps Italian (under Gen. Pennella) was added to the Sixth Army in substitution. On July 1, 1919, the Sixth Army Command was dissolved.Ministry of Defence History, p. 4

World War II

The Sixth Army was known in World War II as the Army of the Po, and was charged with the defence of Sicily against the Allies in July–August 1943.

References

{{Large formations of Italy in World War II Field armies of Italy in World War I Field armies of Italy in World War II

World War I

World War II

See also

References