THE BATTLE OF VIS (S/S)

Parallel with the Austro-Prussian War (from June until August 1866), Italy initiated also the so called Third Italian War of Independence, in which it was defeated by the Habsburg Monarchy in the mainland Battle of Custozza (24 June) and in the debacle of its fleet in the sea Battle of Lissa/Vis (on 20 July). Due to the successes of Prussia also Italy got important territorial gains: Mantova, region Veneto and the greater part of Furlani. Because of the failure of Italian mainland army and in order to defend their dignity in front of Prussia which won the key battle of Sadova (on 3 July), Italian political and military leaders demanded a decisive action of the Navy. Italian fleet, although superior in number, was badly equipped and with untrained crews while the war fleet of the Habsburg Monarchy had trained crews (mostly hired in Croatian parts of the country) with war experience (German-Danish War in 1864) and with a very capable commander, Wilhelm von Tegetthoff. Instead of sudden attack during night, Italian fleet sailed to Vis in the morning on 8 July; the attacks on defenders' positions on the island were weak and uncoordinated and because of decisive resistance of the defenders Italians hesitated to start disembarkation. Tegetthoff appeared with his fleet on 20. July and started the battle with 7 ironclad ships organised in a wedge-shaped formation which were followed by wooden ships. With its 11 ironclad ships Italian fleet positioned itself according to the old-fashioned “line” model, with the intention to start firing from cannons from the left wing, while other ships were at safe distance. Apart from that, Italian line was too elongated, so that the ships at both ends were not in position to attack. The Admiral Tegetthoff's flagship ran into the Italian ironclad “Re d'Italia” (and sank it with its ram), the ironclad gunboat “Palestro” exploded, while only one Austrian wooden ship was damaged. The Italian commander, Admiral Carlo Pellion di Persano was condemned for the lost Battle of Lissa/Vis and also lost all his ranks, medals and retirement benefits. Marino Manin