Landro works

A recent image of the Landro Works.

The Landro roadblock is an Austro-Hungarian fortification built in Eastern Tyrol (now part of Northern Italy). Due to the hilly construction site, the roadblock had to be built in two parts, the mortar battery and the higher cannon battery. Landro was the largest fortification in Subrayon V of the Austro-Hungarian fortifications on the Italian border. The roadblock was crewed by 6 officers and 184 enlisted men. During World War I, the roadblock was the seat of command for Subrayon V.

The mortar battery was constructed between 1884 and 1891, and the cannon battery was built between 1887 and 1894. Both were connected by an underground postern. Landro was one of the first fortifications built by Austria-Hungary that used concrete and steel in the construction. The rapid advancement of artillery meant that in a few years, the roadblock was obsolete. Several replacement structures were planned but never built. The outbreak of war in August 1914 led to Landro being put on alert, and in April 1915, before the Italians declared war, the guns were removed to field positions on Mount Sief, next to Col di Lana, and the Strudelalpe Valley, which overlooks the Landro Valley.

Armament

The guns would have been emplaced in the larger holes, while the smaller holes were rifle slits.

• 3 12 cm M80 guns
• 3 10 cm M80 guns (Originally 15 cm guns)
• 6 M7 and M93 8 mm machine guns

World War I

The roadblock was lightly shelled by Italian heavy guns on 5 July 1915. The results were abysmal, with only 4 hits on the roadblock itself. For the rest of the war it was used as a barracks for infantry stationed on the second line of defense.

Post-war to today

The roadblock was partially demolished, but in 1936 was identified as a possible point for Anti-German resistance. The Italian Army still owns the fort, however the public is forbidden to enter.

See also

• Austro-Hungarian fortifications on the Italian border