The withdrawal of the Italian army from the front on the Isonzo, from Zona Carnia and from Cadore had repercussions even on the area in the Asiago Plateau. Although the front at Trentino had not been attacked, the commanders of the First Army decided to withdraw the front by a few kilometres. Asiago and Camporovere, two villages that were completely destroyed by now, were abandoned and the new line along the peaks to the east of Asiago was linked to the crucial Grappa Mountains.
At the start of November General Conrad, who always supported the view that there was a need to attack the First Army in order to push towards the plains of the Veneto region, asked to be given some reinforcements and to organize a contemporaneous action with those that were envisaged on the Piave and Mount Grappa. Having obtained permission (but no reinforcements) to do so, the ex-Chief of Staff of the Austro-Hungarian forces launched his offensive: the aim was to conquer the mountains around Gallio and in particular the Melette di Foza and the Mellette di Gallio.
The attacks started with great determination and vehemence on 11th November but the Italian soldiers resisted tenaciously: in the first days all the advances were duly repelled and every step forward meant enormous sacrifices. On 23rd November the Austro-Hungarian Supreme Command, sharing the concerns of Emperor Charles I (who was present on the plain during the previous day), ordered that action be suspended.
After repeated and pressing requests, Conrad was allowed the possibility of resuming attacks that started again on 03rd December with the use of tear gas and mustard gas. This time the Italian difficulties were much more obvious and the push by the Austro-Hungarian troops had its effects: Mount Miela and Mount Fior were occupied immediately and on 05th December it was the turn of Melette di Foza and Melette di Gallio. The new line was moved along Colle Eckar, Mount Valbella and Col del Rosso up to the right flank of Val Frenzela.
After a new pause the battle resumed exactly during the Christmas period, also thanks to much more favourable weather when compared to the previous winters (only 20 centimeters of snow had fallen). The Habsburg army started to attack the three peaks on 23rd December and succeeded in conquering them exactly on Christmas Day.
