[JPS]

Hello Gents,

While searching my hard drive, I found some scans that I had completely forgotten that I had copied? The photos are from one of the six photo albums I purchased years ago that were painstakingly put together by a veteran of the Austro-Hungarian K.u.K. after the war. If memory serves me correctly, 100% of the photos are originals and are not composed of period purchased postcards, but were taken by the soldier himself or, of him with his camera, by a friend.

All of the photos for which I have scans with me right now are from the 1918 dated album. This first photo was taken during the Central Powers advance following the disaster at Caporetto and shows what appears to be either a units of storm-troopers or pioneers (based on the equipment carried by the troops) crossing the Tagliamento River on a hastily constructed bridge. What I believe to be the pilings of the original bridge can be seen to the right of the wooden structure? The original bridge was most likely destroyed by the retreating Italians?


http://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?257010-In-pursuit-of-the-retreating-Italian-Army


Here is the next photo from my set of Austro-Hungarian personal photo albums. A column of Italian POW’s march past K.u.K. onlookers as the original photo appears in the 1918 dated album. The Italians have obviously been stripped of any and all equipment and are left with only their uniforms, caps and helmets.

If any of our esteemed members can translate the writing, your efforts would be greatly appreciated? It appears in some places to be Slavic, i.e. Slovakian, Czech, etc.??? or perhaps Hungarian??? ...while in other places it appears to be perfect Italian?

http://forums.gunboards.com/showthr...s-march-past-Austro-Hungarians-on-the-Piave-…


I’ll be posting some additional scans that I happen to have with me. If anyone recognizes the language and can help with translation, it would be greatly appreciated! There is more text in some pages than others and some simply list locations.

Warmest regards,

John

 

[45Guy]

Looks like Slovak: tak příslo= They came from Montello, and Zajati Italove=captured Italians. Sorry I can't really help that much. Can't make out word by date... Hate cursive.

 

[JPS]

Thank you 45Guy!

My apologies for being tardy in getting back to both Forums. I've chimed in on the WWI Forum already and wanted to thank you for your help over here as well.

It's greatly appreciated. I've owned the photo albums for 12 or 15 years or there about, but have never found the time to do much work with them other than to use the photos for reference purposes.

They are absolute treasures but for the life of me, unless the last member of the K.u.K. veteran's blood relatives passed away, I couldn't imagine how or why a family member could ever let them go?

Thanks again!

Warmest regards,

John

 

[45Guy]

Sir:
It is very easy for younger generations to let things go when they are selfish or uncaring. Years ago you helped me identify a unit patch on my friends father's uniform from the great war. The gentleman who owned it was convinced his son would pawn the entire collection for beer money when he passed. Since we had a falling out during my divorce, I have no idea what became of my friend or the collection.

 

[Dogwalker]

That of the picture is the bridge of Codroipo. The existing bridge of Codroipo (along with two temporary bridges made by the engineers of the 18th Company to help the evaquation of the Italian II and III Army), was destroyed during the retreath (the stable one when the 4th Jaeger was already crossing on it), and, subsequently, one was repaired by the Austrians.

Of the several (ten) stable and temporary bridges over the Tagliamento, only that of Cornino (the northern and the less useful for the attackers) was left almost intact. It was not a planned move (the wet charges, did less damages than expected), but was ultimately useful to gain some time. Several Austrian divisions were diverted to take advantage of the bridge, then the crowd was such that many had to be sent back again.