Jure photo blog

Batognica it is a plateau shaped peak on the southern part of Julian Apls.

Ascending quickly we gain altitude. postures are disapearing behind us.

Soon we have reached lake Lužnica.

The cannon projectile 210 mm italian grenade reminded us of first world war in heavy fighting tha took place alomost 100 years ago in this beautiful landscape.

We have reached the top from where Krn and Vrh na Peski could be seen. The top with lots of grenade fragments again reminded us of presence of killings and suffering of a war that brought the end to the empires in Europe.

So a little bit of history. Batognica is about 2150 m high. On the above photo we can see the crater and in the back peak of Krn which is higher 2244. Krn was taken in swift action by Alpini (Italian elite mountain troops). They took it form Austro Hungarians troops in 1915. Krn was guarded by Hungarian soldiers not suitable for this kind of terrain. So they had to retreat accros saddle between Krn and Baognica. At the age of WW 1 industrial advancements meant cannons, howitzers and mortars which coluld launch explosive grenades, mines, projectiles over long distances 6+ km.

But because of the difficult terrain and mostly horse and mule pulled artillery advancement was slow. Moving artillery pieces was slow and couldn't keep with infantry advancements (altough advancements themselves were small). Infantry was main mean of advancement especially on this kind of hilly terrain like here. Today we have vertical manouever for thi kind of job, but in 1915 everything was done by foot. Now with all this difficulties Italians advanced brilliantly but Austro Hungarian artillery on neighbouring peak Vrh nad Peski opened up a closing barrage-shovering Italians as they advance on the ridge of Batognica, which is the size of a good football filed. Austrians were now with their backs at the cliffs and for two years front was established and the belligerants were only 80 m appart in trernches. The only thing that was left to break the stalemate was mine warfare. So the crater above in the photograph was the result of 4100 kg nitro glicerin detonation beneath Italian positions.

Now awy from the war, a mountain eagle was flying over our heads. Later 12 more appeared.

Julian alps panorama with Jalovec and Mangart (the highest cones on the horizon)

Trench systems. Rock, steal and death in the middle of this mountain beauty.

Tunnel on the Italian side of positions.

Sign, that was carved. It is in latin I think.

View toward Krn lake, which is behind the corner.

The descision was made. We will procede to Krn.

Down the Italian built stairs to the saddle.

Saddle and the carriage of Krupp 149 mm howitzer. Italians had them, because they changed side in 1915. Before 1915 Germany, Austro hungarian Empire and kingdom of Italy signed an alliance.

Partisan monument from WW 2 on the saddle. War waited for only 20 years, when arms were active again. This time against fascist Italian rule and later in 1943 against nazi Germany.