During World War II, the very last operations of the German navy - involving the evacuation of troops and personnel from Istria and Trieste ahead the advancing Yugoslavs - took place here in May 1945. An estimated enemy force of 4000 landed from 26 ships of all types at the mouth of the Tagliamento River. Germans equipment included E-boats, LSTs, a small hospital ship, all types of transport, and a variety of weapons.