Diaz, Armando. Italian general. Was born in 1861. Following the disastrous Battle of Caporetto, October 24, 1917, in which all the fruits of earlier campaigns were lost, Diaz succeeded Cadorna as commander-in-chief of the Italian armies. In nine days, June 15-23, 1918, Diaz decisively repulsed a great Austrian offensive designed to crush the Italian armies, driving the Austrians back across the Piave and inflicting enormous losses. After four months' preparation, Diaz began, October 24, a tremendous counterattack against the Austrian lines in Italy. These soon began to crumble under his well-directed blows. A series of increasing successes resulted at the end of ten days in the total collapse and rout of the Austrian forces. When Austria, on November 4, accepted terms of truce, a virtual surrender which hastened the impending downfall of Germany, the Italian armies under Diaz had captured 300,000 prisoners, 5,000 guns, and military booty valued at about a billion dollars. This victory by Diaz ranks as one of the most overwhelming in military history.

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