"Vallo Alpino del Littorio "
known data

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It is known that this part of Vallo Alpino, also referred to as Vallo Littorio (from Tarvisio to Rijeka) was defended by Guardia di frontiera (Gaf), established in 1934. By 1941 it's total number of soldiers was 15.000. Rather than using standard military organisation in battalions and divisions, it was organised by the territorial principle in sectors. So here we presented the available data according to this organisation. After the occupation of Yugoslavia in 1941 the border and its fortifications lost their strategic importance. So units of Gaf were used to control occupied territory, mostly in Slovenia. Althou the fortifications were to be disarmed in 1942, that did not happen because of the intense resistance movement (partisans). So crews and armament was reduced, but not abandoned. As Mussolini was overthrown in 1943 Italian units in Slovenia and Croatia were ordered to retreat to the Rapallo border. But this didn't happened and parts of "Vallo Littorio " were taken by Germans while others reminded empty. A tragic episode occurred in 1944 when group of partisans found refuge in an abandoned Italian fort at Mt. Porezen. They were surprised by Germans and all killed.

KNOWN DATA

VI. Corpo d'Armata Headquarters in Treviso XVII. sector Area of Tarvisio (Trbiz)

VI. Corpo d'Armata Headquarters in Udine XXI. sector: Area of Tolmin XXII. sector: Area of Idrija XXIII. sector: Area of Postojna

XXI. sector - Tolmin: subsector XXIa (Bovec) Fort Lepena Fort Kal ??? subsector XXIb (Poljubin) Fort Bogatin Fort Zatolminka ??? subsector XXIc (Podbrdo) Fort Mozic Fort Lajnar 305 men, 9 officers, 31 HMG, 10 LMG, 4 min. Fort Petrovo Brdo Fort Porezen: 247 men, 7 officers, 26 HMG, 15 LMG,

XXIII. sector - Idrija: subsector XXIIa (Cerkno) Fort Zelin ("di Centa") Cerknica, Idrijca rivers confluence 176 men, 3 officers, 18 HMG, 2 G 47/53 subsector XXIIb (Idrija) 1463 men, 34 officers, 167 HMG, 43 LMG, 4 guns 57/45, 10guns 47/35 and, 12 ATG, 10 min. "81" Fort Kanomlja ("Bevilaqua") Kanomljica, Idrijca rivers confluence 116 men, 2 officers, 9 HMG, 5 LMG, 1 gun, 2 min. Fort Nikova ("Cudrig") 143 men, 2 officers, 13 HMG, 6 LMG, 2 guns 47/35 Fort Podertia ("Pellizzari") above Podroteja village 139 men, 2 officers, 13 HMG, 5 LMG, 2 guns 47/35 subsector XXIIc (Crni vrh) Fort Griza ("Slataper") 224 men, 3 officers, 20 HMG, 10 LMG, 4 guns, 2 min."81" Fort Mala Gora ("Monti") 119 men, 2 officers, 20 HMG, 4 guns Fort Crnovrsko sedlo ("Trombi") 129 men, 2 officers, 26 HMG, 6 lmg, 2 min. "81"

Posts manned only in summertime: Crni vrh nad Cerknim Slugova dolina pod Robidnico pri Vrhovcu pod Prapretnim Brdom (Mrzli vrh) na Breznici Gornji Vrsnik Zavratec Medvedje Brdo

Commencment of building: 1932 For works on the fortifications themselves only trusted fascist sympathisers from Italian interior were employed. However for the extensive road network, barracks and supplies magazines a small army of locals was engaged as well.

Trivia: One of the officers serving in Idria sector was captian Carlo Alberto Passolini from Ravenna, married with Susanna Colus of Casarsa della Delizia. Thus from 1931 to 1932 Idrija became home to their oldest son Pier Paolo Passolini (1922-1975).

Sources: Tomać PavĽiË: Ob stari meji, Zaloćba Bogataj, Idrija 1999 Dr. Ivo JuvanËiË: Kronika (Ëasopis za slovensko krajevno zgodovino), XVI, 1968, str. 168 Tosti: Seconda guerra mondiale, 1. zvezek, str. 88

OTHER KNOWN FORTS POSTOJNA AREA: Podkraj, Veliko Ubeljsko, Grmada nad Planino, Cerovec (by the railway line) Veliki Javornik ILIRSKA BISTRICA - SNEZNIK AREA: Leskova dolina, Sneznik, Gomance (Katalin - maybe part of Milanja?), Line: Milanje - Stanga (Caposaldo Mt. Milonia): 9 "opere" with 29 located combat blocks (possibly more), built according to łCircular 200˛. Milanja: 7 separate "Centri di fuoco" (Fire centres, smaller opere), with some 24 combat blocks KLANA TO RIJEKA AREA: 1.st LINE: Klana: Monte Gomanasca (Gomance) separate MG blocks (underground parts not noted) Trstenik: unfinished sections, 1 MG block as at Mt. Gomanasca (Gomance) Rijeka area: Gornja Vezica Montecroce/Pulac Mt. Luban Sv.Katarina Sv. Kriz (could be of German origin) 2.nd LINE: Zvoneza (Suonecchia): 4 small "opere", completed 1937., manned by a platoon in each fort, not used neither at the beginning of the war nor in the final fighting around Rijeka. Very well preserved. Locations: Gaspari, Gradinovo, Zdemer. Pasjak (Passiacco): 3 small "opere" (1937.?), defending road Rijeka-Trst and railway line Rijeka-Ljubljana. Underground parts preserved (access obstructed). Combat blocks equipped by łpiastre corazzate˛ (now demolished). Milonja (Milanja, Milonia) see above Some sources are also mentioning locations Sapjane (Sappiane), S. Katarina hill (not above Rijeka but above Rupa) and line Sneznik (Monte Nevoso) - Klana. But they are probably already listed above under different names. But there seem to have been some ammunition depots located near Sapjane. Sources: Vladimir Tonic (Rijeka) Alessandro Giudici (Trieste) Aleksander Jankovic (Ljubljana)

DESCRIPTION OF A FORT As a rule these fortifications were taking advantage of the terrain, placing the main body of a fort underground. Only where this was impossible, the main body of the fort too was built of masive concrete. So typically, the entry would be from the hind slope of the hill. Entry chamber was S shaped, allowing for both defence of the entry as sealing it off. Narrow arched walkway would led either straight or downwards (with a flight of stairs)to the main chamber serving as a dwelling quarters. The walls of this were usually double, with approximately 10 cm between the outer concrete and inner brick wall. This type of insulation was to prevent the dampness in the fort. If they were in more than one level, levels would be connected by round stairs. From here same narrow arched corridors were leading to firing positions (combat blocks, bunkers). Straight narrow stairway led to the observation post which was usually a small cast irorn turret, located on the summit of the hill. Combat blocks on the front slope usually consisted of two chambers, one set behind, apparently serving as a magazine, and the main one with the opening - embrasure and a concrete base for armament on the ground.

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