Col di Lana and Monte Sief saw some of the most dramatic mine warfare of the fighting on the Dolomite front during the First World War. The Austro-Hungarians held the twin summits but the Italians sapped up the southeastern slope and used a mine to capture the Col di Lana summit on 17 April 1916. Underground fighting for the ridge connecting Col di Lana and Monte Sief culminated in a 45 tonne Austrian mine which cut a notch visible for miles.
Col di Lana and Monte Sief from the Passo Sief. The Col di Lana summit on the left was taken by the Italians on 17 April 1916. The summit on the right, Monte Sief, remained in Austrian hands. The notch in Monte Sief was caused by an Austrian mine of 45 tonnes.
Austrian trench with remains of timbers, Passo Sief.
Austrian positions, Passo Sief.
Setsas from Monte Sief, shell fragment.
Austrian positions Monte Sief, view to Setas.
Setsas from Austrian positions on Monte Sief.
Shell fragment found in the Austrian positions, Monte Sief.
Austrian positions on the ridge leading to the summit of Monte Sief.
Austrian positions on the ridge leading to the summit of Monte Sief.
Austrian positions, Monte Sief.
Austrian positions, Monte Sief, view towards Col di Lana.
Austrian loophole, Monte Sief.
Austrian loophole, Monte Sief.
Austrian positions, Monte Sief.
Austrian tunnelled observation posts, Monte Sief.
Austrian tunnelled gallery, with later graffiti.
Austrian tunnelled gallery.
Austrian tunnelled observation post, Monte Sief.
View into the mine crater of 21 October 1917, caused by the detonation of 45 tonnes of explosives, looking towards Col di Lana.
Descending into the crater of 21 October 1917.
The summit of Col di Lana, captured by the Italians on 17 April 1916.
The crater formed by the Italian 5,000 kg mine of 17 April 1916.
Italian trench up the southeastern slope of Col di Lana.
Marmot at the Sief Refugio.
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