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THE HISTORY OF COASTAL BATTERIES

In order to defend Venice, the V. Pisani Battery, completed before the outbreak of the Great War and armed with six 280 L/9 howitzers – later replaced with four 76/40 anti-aircraft guns – was built, as were the San Marco Battery and the Radaelli Battery, both designed by Captain Ambrosini.
Italy entered the war on 24 May 1915. In order to face the German and Austro-Hungarian, enemy forces, whose fleet had powerful battleships, more powerful 381/40 cannons were needed. A real “war village” was set up, the Amalfi Battery, now a museum of itself and a Memorial Park.

THE COASTAL BATTERIES FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE HINTERLAND

After the defeat of Caporetto in October 1917, the Italian armies retreat to the Piave River, which becomes one of the main rear lines of the front. The coastal batteries, known as the “Pordelio Artillery Group” and created to protect against possible naval attacks, rotate their armaments inland to support the infantry. This is the summer of 1918.

THE DECAUVILLE

The Decauville is a narrow-gauge railway invented by the French in the mid-nineteenth century and often used in war zones. That of Cavallino Treporti dates back to the early 20th century and was used to build batteries. Its lines remained in service even during the two world wars to transport ammunition and goods. The trolleys were pulled by small steam locomotives, but also by horses or mules. There was a line that connected the V. Pisani Battery with the barracks, powder magazine and the small port of Ca’ Vio.