Board Thread:Questions and Answers/@comment-13740085-20140322054844/@comment-13740085-20140420170417

I explained how A-H won by a large margin:
 * 1) Italy redeploys forces to the Isonzo for a prepared offensive towards Trieste (this is rooted in otl, Trieste was the home base for the Austrian navy, as well a point of strategic interest).
 * 2) As a result of the redeployment, other sections of the Italian line, namely the area around Asiago and Lake Garda.
 * 3) Austria uses trench warfare to slow and stop the Italian assault at the Isonzo River.
 * 4) With the Italian offensive stalled, Austria redeploys its own troops opposite to the weakened Italian lines.
 * 5) The Austrian attack breaks through the Italians and capture several railroad hubs.
 * 6) With their flank and rear compromised, the Italian army begins to withdrawal. This soon turns into a rout as the Austrians press their advantage.
 * 7) Italians, military and civilians alike, begin fleeing the Venetia region as A-H closes on Venice.
 * 8) Most of the Italian military retreats to Milan to establish defenses, leaving a skeleton garrison to defend Venice.
 * 9) After a 1+ month long battle, the Italian defenders in Venice surrender and the region comes under Austrian jurisdiction.
 * 10) Italy, their army devastated and demoralized, and the ruined Venice under the Austrian flag, is forced to the negotiation table. With huge portions of their army dead or captured, the Italian military is in no condition to continue the war, and under threat of resumed hostilities (a threat A-H could not back up push come to shove) Italy agrees to cede Lombard in addition to Venetia.

Sometimes its not about numbers, but tactics and planning.