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Italy's armed forces at the ready in a 1915 postcard. In the foreground the artillery, infantry, an Alpine soldier (in feathered hat), and a Bersaglieri (in plumed headgear). Behind them are a bugler and lancer; in the distance marines and colonial troops. The Italian navy is off shore, an airship and planes overhead. On the reverse are the lyrics of a patriotic Italian March by Angelo Balladori, lyrics by Enrico Mercatali. It ends with a call to the brothers of Trento and Trieste, Austro-Hungarian territory with large ethnic Italian populations. Reverse: Marcia Italica D'Italia flammeggin le sante bandiere Baciate dal sole, baciate dal vento, Su l'aspro sentier di Bezzecca e di Trento De l'alma Trieste, sul cerulo mar. . . . Fratelli di Trento, Triestini fratelli, La patria s'è desta alla grande riscossa! Dell'aquila ingorda la barbara possa Dai liberi petti domata sarà! Parole di Enrico Mercatali Musica di Angelo Balladori. Casa Editrice Sonzogno - Milano. 1915.

Italy's armed forces at the ready in a 1915 postcard. In the foreground the artillery, infantry, an Alpine soldier (in feathered hat), and a Bersaglieri (in plumed headgear). Behind them are a bugler and lancer; in the distance marines and colonial troops. The Italian navy is off shore, an airship and planes overhead. On the reverse are the lyrics of a patriotic Italian March by Angelo Balladori, lyrics by Enrico Mercatali. It ends with a call to the brothers of Trento and Trieste, Austro-Hungarian territory with large ethnic Italian populations.

Image text

Reverse:

Marcia Italica

D'Italia flammeggin le sante bandiere

Baciate dal sole, baciate dal vento,

Su l'aspro sentier di Bezzecca e di Trento

De l'alma Trieste, sul cerulo mar.

. . .

Fratelli di Trento, Triestini fratelli,

La patria s'è desta alla grande riscossa!

Dell'aquila ingorda la barbara possa

Dai liberi petti domata sarà!





Parole di Enrico Mercatali

Musica di Angelo Balladori.



Casa Editrice Sonzogno - Milano. 1915.

Other views: Larger, Back

Monday, March 19, 1917

"'Can I count on [your company] if I give them orders to act against the mutineers?'

This conversation between the colonel and me took place in front of everyone. We were almost in the middle of the company, which was drawn up in two ranks, in such a way that I could see half the men from in front. These men were fixedly watching my face, and my face only.

'I don't think so, sir.'

'Answer yes or no.'

'No, sir.'

The colonel went out. In the street the noise continued."

Quotation Context

Captain Emilio Lussu of Italy's Sardinian Brigade writing of a mutiny in his regiment in early 1917. Lussu orders his men to get their rifles and calls the roll. None have mutinied, and they do not turn on their captain, as happened in mutinous companies. The mutineers called for an end to the war, for going on leave, and for an end to lies about the war. The mutiny ends peacefully, with seven men eventually punished.

Source

Sardinian Brigade by Emilio Lussu, pp. 224–225, copyright © 1939 by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., publisher: Knopf, publication date: 1939

Tags

1917-03-19, 1917, March, mutiny, Sardinia Brigade, Italian army