Armando Diaz
General Armando Diaz took command of the shattered Italian Army after Caporetto in November 1917 and rebuilt it into the force that destroyed Austria-Hungary at Vittorio Veneto a year later. A Neapolitan artilleryman of measured temperament — the antithesis of Cadorna — he improved rations, leave, and welfare, moderated the disciplinary regime, established a propaganda service that gave soldiers a stake in victory, and husbanded his forces through the defensive victories on the Piave in November 1917 and June 1918. Resisting Allied pressure for premature offensives, he struck only in October 1918 when Austria-Hungary was visibly crumbling, winning the final battle of the Italian front and dictating the Armistice of Villa Giusti. His victory bulletin — 'the remnants of what was once one of the most powerful armies in the world are retreating in disorder and without hope' — is engraved on monuments throughout Italy.
- Lived: 1861 CE – 1928 CE
- Nationality: Italian
- Roles: chief of staff, commander
