This chapter traces the twisted path of armistice negotiations between the Italians the Austro-Hungarians and the collapse of the old monarchy. The role of the army, various ethnic groupings and Emperor Karl are described. The birth of the Austrian Republic in turmoil and starvation are covered through the Bela Kun communist regime and the attempts of both the Austrian and Hungarian governments to find recognition in the world and recover from the war. Militias, disarming, unfriendly neighbors. Growing disillusionment in the Austro-Hungarian Army, civil war in spring 1919.

Chapter 3 describes the brutal opening battles of the war during August–September 1914 and their disastrous result for Austria-Hungary. Conrad’s strategic planning and late altering of his plans proved fatal and led to the near total destruction of the prewar Habsburg Army. The Habsburg Army, forced into a full retreat, was in desperate need of German assistance. The losses had been so severe that it had now become a militia.

Chapter 2 presents a chronological approach to the July crisis, the main theme emphasizing that it was Austria-Hungary that instigated the war, its leaders believing that Serbia had to be crushed. Particular attention is paid to the correspondence between the two general staffs and the emperors of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Demolishes all postwar Habsburg apologia and myths.

Chapter 1 details the multiple problems the Austro-Hungarian monarchy faced in the First World War: fiscal challenges and ethnic problems resulting from eleven different nationalities residing within the Dual Monarchy. A depiction of Conrad von Hoetzendorf and his disastrous military plans and defeats, as well as Emperor Franz Joseph, Alois Berchtold. It emphasizes the inferior training of the Habsburg Army, its obsolete weaponry and lack of consistent and adequate training. Lack of a central command, ethnic concerns and complicated reserve system.

Conrad’s failures as a commander. The Habsburg Army’s shortcomings. Treaties and postwar civil war between the various ethnic groups. Creation of seven states; the majority of which swing to the political right by 1922.

Describes the dire home front situation; with famine, disease, lack of fuel and other goods prompting discontent and strikes. Also detailed are the defeats of the Austro-Hungarian Army and German victory during the Kerensky offensive in July 1917, as well as the 10th and 11th Isonzo River campaigns and the Battle of Caporetto. The Austro-Hungarian Army was left exhausted and close to defeat after the 11th Isonzo Battle. Emperor Karl’s attempts at achieving peace are derailed by the Sixtus Affair.

Describes the multiethnic composition of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, its army’s weaknesses, artillery, Conrad von Hoetzendorf

The fatal year of 1918 describes the imploding home front, with the beginnings in earnest of ethnic groups bent on destroying the empire in October. Food and fuel shortages and resulting strikes led to further turmoil. The Habsburg Army’s last major offensive launched on June 15, 1918. It was an offensive that should never have occurred and proved disastrous for Austria-Hungary. The Italians launched an offensive to knock Austria-Hungary out of the war. The Austro-Hungarian troops suffered from lack of food, equipment, supplies and modern weaponry. Negotiations for an armistice commence proved disastrous.

This chapter traces the twisted path of armistice negotiations between the Italians the Austro-Hungarians and the collapse of the old monarchy. The role of the army, various ethnic groupings and Emperor Karl are described. The birth of the Austrian Republic in turmoil and starvation are covered through the Bela Kun communist regime and the attempts of both the Austrian and Hungarian governments to find recognition in the world and recover from the war. Militias, disarming, unfriendly neighbors. Growing disillusionment in the Austro-Hungarian Army, civil war in spring 1919.

In Chapter 6, the disastrous Carpathian winter war battle in early 1915 is described in detail including its significance and detailed description of some of the worst battlefield conditions ever witnessed in the history of warfare. Many soldiers succumbed to the “White Death,” or freezing to death. The point is made that the battle should never have been fought. The drawn-out negotiations with Italy and then the first four Isonzo River battles are presented. The great Central Power victory of Gorlice–Tarnow is described, followed by the disastrous Habsburg Rovno campaign. Finally, the chapter describes the German-commanded Serbian campaign and its repercussions for the Central Powers.

Chapter 4 describes in detail the three disastrous Serbian campaigns, emphasizing the challenges posed by the terrain, weather and underestimation of the Serbian enemy. General Potiorek’s fatal strategies are shown, as well as the overall effect of the Habsburg defeats in the Balkans and with its ally Germany. The lack of effective training and false blaming of Czech soldiers for the initial defeat is emphasized.

The partial recovery of the Austro-Hungarian Army in allied offensives is chronicled, as is the portrayal of the Germans as the monarchy’s savior both in the opening battles, as well as throughout the remainder of the war. Also discussed in detail are the bloody travails of failed Habsburg attempts to relieve the besieged Fortress Przemyśl. The significance of the fortress in Habsburg decision-making through 1914 is also explained, including the resultant suffering in the futile wintertime sorties launched to break out to the field armies. The Battle of Limaova-Lapanov, the first Habsburg victory on the Eastern front, is chronicled.