Mines on the Italian front (World War I)
Underground explosive charges planted by both sides in the Dolomites.
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The mines on the Italian front during World War I were underground explosive charges secretly planted between 1916 and 1918 by Austro-Hungarian and Italian tunneling units beneath enemy lines in the Dolomite section of the Alps. These operations, ranging from small to massive charges, represented a notable aspect of mountain warfare in that theater.
Quick Facts
- Total mines detonated
- 34
- Italian mines
- 20
- Austro-hungarian mines
- 14
- Date range of detonations
- 1 January 1916 to 13 March 1918
- Largest italian mine charge
- 35,000 kg (77,162 lb) of blasting gelatin
- Maximum charge size
- 50,000 kg (110,231 lb) of blasting gelatin
- Minimum charge size
- 110 kg (243 lb) of blasting gelatin
Facts from the source article.
Background
From 1915, the high peaks of the Dolomites range were an area of fierce mountain warfare. To protect soldiers from enemy fire and the alpine environment, both Austro-Hungarian and Italian military engineers built fighting tunnels that offered cover and improved logistics. In addition to underground shelters and covered supply routes, such as the Italian Strada delle 52 Gallerie, both sides attempted to break the trench warfare stalemate by tunneling under no man's land and placing large quantities of explosives beneath enemy positions.
Between 1 January 1916 and 13 March 1918, a total of 34 mines were detonated in this theater: 20 Italian mines aimed at Austro-Hungarian targets and 14 Austro-Hungarian mines aimed at Italian targets. Explosive charges ranged from 110 kg to 50,000 kg of blasting gelatin, with the largest Italian mine holding 35,000 kg. Focal points included Pasubio with 10 mines, Lagazuoi with 5, Col di Lana/Monte Sief with 5, and Marmolada with 4. The most intense period was the seven weeks from 16 September to 3 November 1917, which saw 12 mine explosions.
After November 1917 and the Italian retreat to Monte Grappa and the Piave river following the Battle of Caporetto, Pasubio remained the only underground war area on the front.
More in Military History of Italy During World War I
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Mines on the Italian front (World War I) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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