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History
The First World War had vast impact on the Trentini people as a
whole, as well as individual families. At the war's beginning, the Trentino territory had endured
a century of domination and control by the Austrian Empire, but was also experiencing a resurgence of Irredentism, fueled
by Italy's quest to emancipate the "unredeemed" territories. These competing loyalties exacerbated the Trentini response to the war and pitted
brother against brother in the call to war.
On July 31, 1914, many Trentini men heeded the order of the
Austrian Emporer Franz Josef, which was appropriately
signed "Francesco Giuseppe," and reported for duty in the Austrian
Army. Approximately 60,000 Trentini men were mobilized for placement at the Russian
front. They were organized into 4 regiments, the Tiroler
Kaiserjäger - T.K.J. - (Tirolesi Hunters of the Emperor), the Tiroler
Landesschützen (provincial Bersaglieres), the Tiroler Standschützen
(territorial Bersaglieres), and in smaller numbers to units of
the common army and the Landerwehr. On August 7, 1914, the soldiers
of the Tiroler Kaiserjäger regiment left from the Dante
public square in the city of Trento, for Galizia-Bucovina-Serbia destination. They were greeted
by political, military, and religious authorities. Upon departure, the soldiers were given a bottle
of wine, labeled “health and auguries,” as well as bread, beer, salami
and cheese.
"On the Trentino
cliffs we will plant the tri-color one
(Italian
Flag)" |
At the same time, approximately 700 Trentini fled south, fueled by their quest for
Italian reunification, and enlisted in the Italian
army. The personification of this movement was Cesare Battisti, among others. Battisti was ultimately
captured by the Austrians forces and hung at the Castello di Buonconsiglio on July
12, 1916.
On May 26, 1915, the Italian Republic ended its
neutrality and entered the war on the
side of the English. Their entry was secured, in part, by the Pact of London, in which the Italians were promised
the former areas of Trento and the contiguous territory to the
Brennero Pass; the cities of Gorizia, Trieste and Gradisca d' Isonzo; Istria and
Dalmatia.
With the opening of the Italian front in the
Trentino territory, evacuation of more than 100,000
civilians was ordered to the north and south of the territory.
Others were persecuted and interned, based on their perceived or resistant
activities. Approximately 1,700 were exiled to
the field of Katzenau, where they suffered for 3 years in poverty and away from
family and home.
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