It was regarded as the highest battle in history until it was surpassed in 1999 by the Kargil Conflict at 5,600 m. At the beginning of 1918 Austro-Hungarian troops set up a fortified position with small artillery pieces on the top of the San Matteo Peak.

On August 13, 1918, a small group of Alpini mountain troops (308th Company, Battalion "Monte Ortler") conducted a surprise attack on the peak, successfully taking the fortified position.

On September 3, 1918, the Austro-Hungarian forces launched operation "Gemse" ("chamois"), an attack aimed to retake the mountain defended by now by the 307th Alpini Company, Battalion "Monte Ortler".

A large scale artillery bombardment, followed by the assault of at least 150 Kaiserschützen of the 3rd KuK Kaiserjäger Regiment stationed in Dimaro, was eventually successful and the lost position was retaken.

During the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, the peak of San Matteo would be taken for the second and final time by the Alpini on November 3 after an intense artillery preparation.