REDIPUGLIA
The top of Redipuglia War Memorial
Multimedia Great War Museum_a review.docxRedipuglia is a World War I memorial located near the village of Fogliano Redipuglia, in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The shrine was built on Monte Sei Busi between 1935 and 1938.
This place was chosen because it was harshly fought over during the early battles of the Isonzo.
The shrine consists of 22 horizontal platforms of stone, arrayed in step-like progression, hosting the remains of 39,857 identified soldiers, arranged in alphabetical order.
The top frieze of each platform repetitively reads “Presente” (Present).
Above the last step, a votive chapel is lined by two large mass graves holding the remains of 60.330 unknown soldiers.
The chapel and two adjacent rooms contain the personal belongings of Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers.
At the base of the memorial, there are six sepulchres containing the remains of Prince Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Aosta (the commander of the Third Army, who died in 1931 and asked to be buried among his men), and five generals killed in action.
In the memorial tens of thousands of Army soldiers are buried together with 56 members of the Guardia di Finanza, 72 sailors and one single woman, Margherita Kaiser Parodi Orlando, a volunteer nurse who died in 1918 while assisting soldiers sick with Spanish flu.
If you want to visit the Redipuglia memorial, you can do it anytime you want, because it is a free open-air monument.
You can also visit the Multimedia Great War Museum, which has been located inside the ex railway station since 2014. You can find a review on the left.
THE TRENCHES
WW1 trenches replica.
How trenches were made
During World War I, trenches were a crucial part of warfare, providing soldiers with protection from enemy fire and a base from which to launch attacks. Trenches were typically dug by soldiers using shovels and picks.
The first step in constructing a trench was to mark out the desired location using stakes and string. The soldiers would then begin digging a trench; The sides of the trench were reinforced with sandbags or wooden planks to prevent the walls from collapsing.
Once the trench was deep enough, the soldiers would dig a network of tunnels and dugouts to provide shelter for themselves and their equipment. These dugouts were often uncomfortable, but they offered some protection from enemy fire and shelling.
Trenches were also constructed with communication systems, including telephones and signal lamps, to allow soldiers to communicate with each other and with their commanders. They were also equipped with firing bays and observation posts, allowing soldiers to engage the enemy and monitor their movements.
Locations:
Here took place one of the most disastrous battles of WWI
Life in the trenches
Soldiers lived in these cramped holes, sleeping in muddy, rat-infested dugouts and eating contaminated canned food. The air was filled with the smell of rotting bodies, human feces, and stagnant water.
The biggest challenge for soldiers in the trenches was the constant threat of enemy attack. Snipers, machine guns, and artillery, causing death and destruction. Soldiers often went without proper medical care or shelter for long periods of time.
In addition to the dangers posed by the enemy, soldiers in the trenches also had to fight with disease and infection. Trench foot, a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to cold and damp conditions, was common. Other diseases, including dysentery and trench fever, were also widespread.
Despite the many hardships, soldiers in the trenches found moments of solidarity. They shared stories, jokes, and songs to lift each other's spirits. In some cases, soldiers from opposing sides even exchanged gifts and cigarettes during brief periods of ceasefire.
In conclusion, life in the trenches during World War I was a brutal and challenging experience for soldiers. They endured difficult unsanitary conditions, faced constant danger, and struggled with disease and infection. However, they also showed remarkable resilience, forming strong bonds with their fellow soldiers that lasted a lifetime.
Trenches presentationVideo representing trenches, and how they were made.
The video is taken from the videogame Company of Heroes I, developed by Relic Entertainment
Image taken from the trenches on Monte Grappa.
Image of soldiers preparing for an enemy assault with gas.
Trenches assaultVideo representing an assault from one trench to another.
The video is taken from the videogame Company of Heroes I, developed by Relic Entertainment
Soldier, War image. Drawn painting.
The assault
Assaults on enemy trenches were a common occurrence. These assaults were incredibly dangerous and often resulted in heavy casualties.
The objective of a trench assault was to break through the enemy's defenses and gain control of their trenches. The assaulting troops would typically advance across no-man's land, the area between the opposing trenches, under heavy fire from enemy machine guns and artillery.
Before an assault, soldiers would receive a brief period of intense bombardment from their own artillery, with the intention of damaging the enemy's defenses and weakening their troops. Once the bombardment stopped, the assaulting troops would emerge from their trenches and advance towards the enemy.
As the assaulting troops approached the enemy's trenches, they would come under heavy fire from machine guns and rifles. Many soldiers would be killed or wounded before they even reached the enemy's defenses. Those who made it to the trenches would engage in hand-to-hand combat with enemy soldiers, using bayonets and grenades to clear the trenches.
The attacking troops would often suffer from a lack of information about the enemy's defenses, making it difficult to plan an effective assault. The enemy would also have the advantage of being able to observe the assaulting troops from their own trenches, allowing them to target their fire more accurately.