Alpine Wall

Infobox Military Structure
name= Alpine Wall
location= Northern Italy


caption= "Opera Croda Sora i Colsei", on the Passo Monte Croce Comelico.
built= 1930–42
materials= Concrete, steel
used= 1935–91
type= Defensive line
controlledby= Italy
garrison=
commanders=
battles=

The Alpine Wall ("Vallo Alpino") was a system of fortifications along Italy's northern frontier built in the years leading up to World War II. Built at the direction of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, the defensive line faced France, Switzerland, Austria and Yugoslavia.

The Alpine line was similar in concept to other frontier fortifications of the same era, including the Maginot Line of France, the Siegfried Line of Germany, and the National Redoubt of Switzerland. Italy's land frontiers were in most places mountainous and easily defended, but in the years leading up to World War II, Italy's relations with its neighbors were uneasy. Even in its dealings with its German ally, Italy was concerned about German ambitions towards its German-speaking regions in Trento. Due to the rugged nature of the Alpine frontier, defenses were confined to passes and observation posts in accessible locations.

History

Work on the Alpine Wall began in 1931, intended to cover an arc from the Mediterranean at Ventimiglia in the west to Fiume on the Adriatic in the east. Three zones were designated at increasing distances from the frontier:
* "Zone of Security": Initial contact with the enemy.
* "Zone of Resistance": Heavier fortifications capable of resistance in isolation.
* "Zone of Alignment": Assembly area for counterattack, into which the enemy was to be directed.Three types of fortifications were provided:
* "Type A": The largest fortifications, generally built into mountainsides.
* "Type B": Smaller point-defense fortifications.
* "Type C": Widely-distributed shelters and rallying points

The work, which was carried out in secrecy using Italian labor, was a significant economic burden, resulting in 208 "opere" with 647 machine guns and fifty artillery pieces. Construction continued until 1942. The forts were armed with a mixture of new weaponry and older equipment from World War I. Provisions were made to deal with the use of poison gas. Much of the armor was obtained from Germany in compensation for Italian military ventures on behalf of the Axis.

The Alpine Wall during the Second World War

Little use was made of the Alpine Wall during World War II, since Axis forces were initially on the offensive. Some western forts such as Fort Chaberton exchanged fire with their French counterparts of the Alpine Line during 1940, and some Alpine Wall fortifications were used defensively by the Germans in 1944. Chaberton in particular was attacked by French 280mm field mortars in 1940, suffering disabling damage. [Kauffmann, p. 203]

After WWII

At the end of the conflict, some of the western fortifications were destroyed, while portions of the eastern works were transferred to Yugoslavia as part of the transfer of Friuli to that state. The 1947 Paris Peace Treaty forbade the construction or expansion of fortifications within twenty kilometers of the border. However, with Italy's membership in NATO, construction began on a new defensive line from Austria to the Adriatic along the Yugoslavian border along the Natisone and Tagliamento rivers. The new line used tank turrets in a manner similar to German defenses during the previous conflict, allowing 360 degree traverse and a high rate of fire. By 1976 this system was still considered useful in any conflict short of nuclear war.

Abandonment

The end of the Cold War brought an end to the usefulness of the Alpine Wall. The emplacements were stripped and sealed in 1991-1992. No fortifications have been preserved.

Arrangement

The fortifications were primarily constructed in the flanking heights of the valleys, with works within the valleys only where they were sufficiently wide. Anti-tank guns, artillery and machine guns were trained on prepared fields of fire, with observation stations one higher points. Shelters for infantry were located rearwards. A system of communications links and roads, or for higher locations, ropeways were provided for communication and supply.

Fortifications

The individual fortifications were typically built in rock on valley sides. Where this was not suitable, concrete was used in part or in whole for protection, with a minimum of openings and three to five meters of concrete thickness. Combat blocks were to the front, with ammunition rooms behind. Underground galleries connected the combat blocks and their support areas, such as the utility rooms, barracks, storage and command centers, with the main entry farthest to the rear. Combat areas were isolated from the rest of the structure by gastight doorways. Units built after 1939 were designed to operate independently, cut off from utilities and supplies.

Fortifications were camouflaged so that they appeared to blend with the surroundings, whether doors or embrasures were open or closed. Emergency espace routes were also provided.

Armament

Typically an anti-tank gun and a number of machine guns. Post-war units used tank turrets.

Usual arment included:
* Machine gun, Fiat 14mm/35 in casemate or metal turret
* Machine gun, Breda , for defense of entries to the fortifications
* Gun 57/43 RM mod. 887 on naval mounts
* Gun 75/43, ball mount in 10cm steel slab
* Gun 47/32
* Mortar 81mm mod. 35
* Flamethrower

Fortifications were usually surrounded by minefields and barbed wired. Where feasible, an anti-tank ditch was provided.

See also

* Maginot Line
* Siegfried Line
* Atlantic Wall
* Czechoslovak border fortifications

References

*Marco Boglione, "Le Strade dei Cannoni" [http://catalog.mtrade.com/cgi-win/Catalog.exe?Browse;Catalog=blued;Query=01191;Lang=ita Blu Edizioni] , Torino 2005, ISBN 88-87417-68-7 it icon
*Kauffmann, J.E., Jurga, Robert M. "Fortress Europe: European Fortifications of World War II", 1999. ISBN 1-58097-000-1

Notes

External links

* [http://valloalpino.altervista.org/index-en.htm The Underground Fortifications of the Alpine Wall]
* [http://www.bunkermuzeum.hu/index_en.html Bunkermuzeum]
* [http://utenti.lycos.it/valloalpinoit Le fortificazioni del Vallo Alpino in provincia di Cuneo] it icon
* http://www.vecio.it it icon
* [http://free-ri.htnet.hr/fortress-fiume/Vallo1.htm Eastern Vallo Alpino]
* [http://www.valloalpino.com/ Vallo alpino del littorio nelle attuali Slovenia e Croazia (1920-1943)] it icon
* [http://www.explo-guide.com/Mount-Chaberton-3131-m-height Travel tips to visit the Mount Chaberton fortress]