This preserved section of trench (complete with overhead cover, hence “armoured”) is located adjacent to the Redipuglia War Memorial (Sacrario militare di Redipuglia) in Fogliano Redipuglia, Italy. It was originally constructed during the early battles along the Isonzo River in June to July, 1915. Inside, one can see the embrasures or firing loops on the uphill side, as well as ammunition/grenade niches below them and a pronounced firing step. In several spots there appears to be machine gun firing positions. Unfortunately I was not able to linger very long.
Near the entrance to the trench is the following inscription, carved into a piece of stone:
Trincea Blindata E stata costruita e presidiata dai gloriosi fanti della Brigata Siena (31 e 32 Fanteria) e successivamente dalla Brigata Savona (15 e 16 Fanteria) e dalla Brigata Cagliari (63 e 64 Fanteria) durante le azioni offensive del Giugno-Luglio 1915 (1 e 2 Battaglia dell’Isonzo).
Armoured Trench It was built and manned by the glorious infantrymen of the Siena Brigade (31st and 32nd Infantry) and subsequently by the Savona Brigade (15th and 16th Infantry) and the Cagliari Brigade (63rd and 64th Infantry) during the offensive actions of June-July 1915 (1st and 2nd Battles of the Isonzo).
Poverty, Agony, Distress & Want! 