WW1USA to Commemorate the World War I Battles of the Isonzo

The eighth Battle of the Isonzo was fought between October 10 and 12, 1916. The Isonzo River, northeast of Venice, was the boundary between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. From 1915 to 1917, no less than 12 battles were fought there. Because most of the frontier between Italy and Austria was mountainous, and heavily fortified by the Austrians, Italy’s only invasion route was across the Isonzo. Besides, they wanted to conquer the lands at the head of the Adriatic, all the way around to the city of Triest. Despite huge efforts, the Italian army was never able to advance. During the eighth battle, the Italians were trying to extend a small bridgehead near the town of Gorizia. They failed. The stalemate remained through three more battles. At the 12th Battle of the Isonzo, also known as the Battle of Capporetto, the Italians were decisively defeated. German-led Austrians pushed them back 100 miles. They were finally bailed out by British and other Allied troops. Otherwise, the Austrians would have captured Venice.

Today, the Isonzo runs largely through the country of Slovenia, which did not exist until 1991. Goriza, however, remains in Italy.

The Italian Front, from 1915 through 1917
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Much of this war was fought in mountains, both in the alps north west of Padua, and the northern reaches of the Isonzo River. Snow and ice hampered operations, and led to the name for the Italian war, the White War. But the battles in the Isonzo River valley resembled the Western front, with frontal attacks against well-fortified entrenchments.

Special Event Station WW1USA of the National World War I Museum and Memorial will be on the air at Kansas City, Missouri to observe this significant event of the Great War. Operators from the Raytown Amateur Radio Club of Raytown, Missouri will sponsor this special operating event at the museum, starting at 15:00 UTC on Saturday, October 8th through 22:00 UTC on Sunday, October 9th. All Amateur Radio Operators from around the world are invited to participate in this Special Event by contacting WW1USA on the radio. If you’re in Kansas City during the Special Event, all Amateur Radio operators who present an operator license will receive $5 admission to the Museum for themselves and up to three guests. (No other discounts apply.)

Stations making contact with WW1USA during the Special Event can request a Contact Certificate through the ww1usa.org website. A QSL Card can be obtained via mail by sending SASE or by providing other return postage. You can also obtain an Electronic QSL Card via eQSL.

For more details, please visit https://theworldwar.org/amateurradio