General security measures in the hinterland - the 2. Line of defence
In view of Italy's imminent entry into the First World War, Austria-Hungary not only erected or strengthened defensive structures near the border, but also at several strategically important locations in the hinterland, here above all in the form of field fortifications ( trenches, obstacle structures ...).
Part of this ‘2. Line of defence’ provided the ‘block Klausen’„ It shows: It was intended to slow down or even stop any advance of Italian troops into the Isarco Valley from the Bolzano or Dolomite region. In the event of a breakthrough into the Eisack Valley, not only the strategically important junctions of Brixen and Franzensfeste would have fallen into the hands of the opponent, but also the railway lines over the Brenner and into the Puster Valley. These railway lines provided a vital connection to the north and east and were of the utmost importance in terms of supplies for the entire Tyrolean front.
Report to the k.u.k. Befestigungsbaudirektion Innsbruck of 27 September 1914 on the status of the fortification work:
However, it was clear to the Innsbruck military command that the reached stage could not be considered as the completion of the fortification work. Thus, the Genius Directorates were instructed to:further design of the intervals, widening of the obstacles and cavern structures“. The best defense capability, which was possible without significant damage to cultures and buildings, was to be achieved.
Get as little attention as possible...
The partly extensive construction and fortification measures did not go unobserved.
Therefore, the army leadership tried to reassure the population, as the following call in the Bressanone Chronicle shows:
People of Tyrol, calmly preserve blood!
At several points in the interior of Tyrol, fortification work is currently underway. This work, which has always been provided for in the mobilization plan, now also had to be started and carried out with the ordering of the mobilization, although no real cause for a hostile threat exists or is to be expected. (....) The construction of questionable buildings, which has always been planned by our army administration and is now also being carried out, can therefore give no reason for any concern; rather, it must convince the population that the preparations for war have been made in such a way that the population is able to pursue its bourgeois profession unhindered by external influences even in this turbulent, serious time.
Therefore, calmly keep blood and put confidence in the measures of the army leadership!Bressanone, 29th August 1914
From the k.k. Bezirkshauptmannschaft
The "SPERRE KLAUSEN"
In order to secure the garrison town of Bressanone and the railway lines to the north and east, a ‘lock on Klausen’ had already been planned in the middle of the 19th century and the measures to implement it had been described in detail. See also: the Defense Plans 1833-1914.
In September 1914, i.e. shortly after the start of the war, most of the fortification work for the ‘Klausen-Villnöß lock’ had already been completed: North of Klausen, at the "Klamm" in the valley floor, where there was also a stop of the southern runway, the fortified line rose on the right slope of the Isarco Valley via Feldthurns up to Garn, While you are at the left side of the valley from the gorge over Gufidaun to the Zickerhof proceeded. There is still no trace of the later Nafen – Teis variant on this plan:
Klausen Field Barrier – Villnöß, September 1914, 1:25.000
legend Left wing (Gufidaun):
VI and VII: two groups of small bases partly open, partly covered infantry cover for 11⁄2 platoon.
VIII to XIV: small half-covered bases for 1⁄4 train each.
XV and XVI: Infantry covers for 1 to 2 trains to be produced by own crew as required.Artillery mobile use since installation space is available in the terrain.
xxxxxxxxxx = field-related wire barriers.
A) Any fin to be produced, for which wood for the composition of a strong raft there on the left bank, the wire rope at the road railing next to Klausen are available.
Concerning the accommodation and winter supply at the field facilities, the k.u.k. Geniedirektion in Brixen was unconcerned about the Klausen-Villnöss barrier: The numerous residential buildings and heated huts in a favorable location for the combat position made special precautions seem superfluous.
Doubts about the line
But then doubts seem to have arisen about the defensive ability on the chosen line on the left wing. For this reason, the Bolzano Group Command requests an exploration of the terrain (reconnaissance) on the Nafen – Teis line, as the existing line via Gufidaun – Zicker is considered to be insufficient security. The position is as ‘very endangered from the Tschanberg’ classified, the Villnößtal "will not be blocked". It is noted that: “The matter is urgent, as implementation is expected to take place as soon as possible.” The necessary exploration work in the area is to be carried out by the Geniedirektion Brixen. It can be assumed that this was based on defense plans that had already been elaborated in detail in the 1870s. See also: the Defence Plans 1833 – 1914.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lempruch and Lieutenant-Colonel Franz Buchecker reconnaissance in the Ticino region. Its task is to determine whether a transfer of the left wing of the barrier to the line Teis – Nafen could be carried out. The result of the terrain survey is recorded in writing:
Bressanone, 22 October 1914
The new line is extremely strong in the front, as the Villnöss valley, which is the same, extends into the area of the inn Stern (note: in Außermühl) is canyon-like cut and shows up to 70 m high, steep, storm-free rock falls (.....) The villages Theis and Nafen consist of mostly brick, solid houses; they provide sufficient resources and accommodation. Drinking water is available everywhere. ( .....) There is no doubt that the newly requested wing shows considerably more difficult conditions for the attacker than the existing one (...) and that the retreat conditions from the new position are also incomparably more favorable... more.
On 11 November, Major General Friedl's report will be submitted for review in Innsbruck.
He noted his agreement with the individual proposals with a red pencil:
Positioning on the Nafen-Teis line
On 20 November 1914, the final guidelines for the closure of Klausen-Villnöss for the construction of the new Nafen-Teis plant were issued. Now nothing stands in the way of the position building on the Nafen-Teis line.
Report of 28 November 1914:
*Note: Przemysl: a city in Galicia, which was developed by the Habsburg monarchy into a fortress to defy the Russian army, and which has been under siege since mid-September 1914.
Work is now progressing rapidly:
Work report of 4. December 1914
Work report of 29 January 1915 - Equipment report of the Geniedirektion Brixen about the work in the 2. Line, Teis-Villnöß:
Lock 2. line
Overhead contact line: Hptm. Brandmayer
Senior staff: a Sappeuroffizier and a Landsturmpflichtiger engineer
Working class: 130 squadrons and infantrymen, 120 volunteer workers
Leading: 10 pieces
Status of work: on the left wing 5 bases in the Haubenberg – Theis line
Gufidaun with partly concreted and partly wooden headboards in
Work. Expected to end in mid-February. The influx of
Obstacle material has been completed for the most part (specify for all systems)
Complementary work: In the closed bases caverns or shelters
Behind the line: Waymaking Haubenberg finished
In advance: Obstacle manufacturing
Work report of 9 February 1915
Lock 2. line
Overhead contact line: Hptm. Brandmayer
Senior staff: a Fortification Officer, a Landsturm-mandated Engineer
Working class: 130 squadrons and infantrymen, 200 volunteer workers
Leading: 10 pieces
Combat facilities : On the left bank of the Isarco 5 bases can be defended: 1) Haubenberg
droppings ¤ 1250 m; 2) faeces ¤ 1093; 3) Kote Δ 1027; 4) ⁇south of Teis; 5) Slope south † 814
m, head protection at work. 6) Work at the base slope south-southwest † 814 m
Started. Obstacle manufacturing 6 m wide.
Complementary work Accommodation near the base: ad 1 finished, ad 2 started, ad 3 in progress. cavern
at the base: ad 3) 6m deep, ad 4) 5m deep
In advance: Clearing
Arbeitsrapport Hauptmann Brandmayer of 9 April 1915
on the state of work on the left wing of the Klausen-Villnöß position
Fixed place Defensive Execution stage Expected termination date Freedom from storms Apron clearings Time required for the
Complementary workHaubenberg base Defence
capablehalf finished End of April 6 m obstacles completed Not Intentionally Now 8 days for apron clearings Relapse-kuppe base Defence
capablehalf finished End of April 6 m wide obstacles finished ready 4 days Base north of Teis Defence
capableready End of April 6 m wide obstacles finished ready 4 days Base near Raggele south of Teis Defence
capableready End of April by nature no need 4 days Base southwest of Teis Defence
capablehalf finished End of April by nature not necessary 8 days Base south of Nafen Defence
capablehalf finished End of April by nature not necessary 8 days
Material deliveries
For the construction of the trenches, material had to be delivered from the outside. The fact that part of it was transported by rail suggests the following calculation, which was issued by the landlady of the ‘Krone’ inn in Chiusa by the Teis military works management on 29 May 2015:
65 bars a 7 1/2 kg = 2737 1/2 kg to 1.45 = 39 Kronen 70 Heller
400 kg rods = 5 crowns 80 Heller
Unload the whole car and bring it to us
2 horse 1/2 day = 10 crowns
4 man a 4. = 16 crowns
——————————
71 crowns 50
other obstacle material with tens. Leads delivered
Yours sincerely Anna Reiserer Klausen
Note: The bars and rods served as barbed wire holders and to strengthen the concrete ceilings.
The inn "Krone" is located in close proximity to the Klausner train station. Its favourable location probably led the landlords at that time to offer services in connection with material transport by rail.
Italy's entry into the war is imminent...
Outpost exercises. Gufidaun – Theis.
Departure 6:30 early through the Villnössertal. Here, solid work is carried out and concreted everywhere in order to complete trenches and gun stands. The war with Italy will be inevitable. My field guard was at a saw under Theis. In the morning it started to rain, and we came back wet at 11:30 to Frag (note: district of Chiusa). Afternoon bland appeal exercises ...
Only 13 days later, on 23 May 1915, Italy actually entered the war on the side of the Entente. Soon after the start of hostilities with Italy, however, one had to realize that labour and material were needed more urgently in more exposed places than at the inland barrier points of the Second World War. Line of defense. The workers there were recalled, as they were needed at the defenses of the 1st line (Landro, Pralongiá...), and the work stopped.
On June 25, 1915, Captain Brandmayer reported in his report on the work in the locks of the 2. Line via Teis-Villnöß:
I had to go after Stern with the purpose of forming carrier columns. 5 workers' departments with a total of 1020 men. The Teis barrier, left wing capable of defense.
This is the last work report found, dated June 27, 1915:
RED completed, BLUE in project planning
Today, more or less well-preserved trenches, caverns, shelters, remains of barbed wire holders, wall remains, etc. can still be found in the designated places in the terrain.
Detailed information on today's stock here.
English (UK) 
Deutsch 
Italiano