Prussia opens hostilities on 16 June, Italy declares war on Austria three days later, and Italian operations do not begin until 23 June. The delay wastes preparation time even though the alliance had made war foreseeable. La Marmora advances from Lombardy toward the Quadrilateral fortresses, Cialdini deploys south of the Po toward Mantua and Rovigo, and Garibaldi's Hunters of the Alps form a third force. This dispersed opening helps explain why political leaders soon seek a decisive result from the navy.
Notable Point · 12:41-15:24
Italy delays and divides its opening offensive
Italy waits four days after declaring war, then divides its armies between the Austrian frontier, the Po, and Garibaldi's Alpine theater.