Between 19 November and 15 December 1917 the Austrians launched their first attack on the unfinished fortifications. The Italian High Command had 50 battalions on Monte Grappa – around 50,000 men, supported by a French contingent from December, and fought them off. During the so-called Battle of the Solstice from 15 June-6 July 1918, the Austrians mounted a second unsuccessful attack, during which 30,000 shells were fired from the fortifications onto Austrian positions, with a decisive impact on the battle.