Forte Lisser

Fort Lisser, also known as Fort Monte Lisser, is an Italian fortification built on the eastern end Altopiano dei Sette Comuni (Plateau of 7 Communities) on Monte Enego. Lisser was built at the peak of the mountain, which is an altitude of 1633m (5400ft). Fort Lisser is part of the Brenta-Cismon barrier in Northern Italy. The fort was tasked with preventing an attack down the Valsugana Valley. Lisser was built between 1911 and 1912.

Construction

The fort consisted of a 2 story building not too dissimilar to the forts of the Lavarone-Folgaria group on the other side of the border. Fort Lisser was relatively well equipped when compared to other Italian forts. Lisser was equipped with a kitchen, storerooms, multiple ammo magazines, an ammunition hoist, a generator, a ventilation and air filter system, heating, large cisterns for water, and accommodations for both officers and enlisted men.

Armament

• 4 149mm Howitzers in 18cm thick Armstrong rotating armored domes
• 4 149mm Howitzers in Gruson rotating armored domes
• 4 75mm field guns
• 4 Gardner "disappearing" rotating armored domes on the top of the fort with 2 machine guns each
• 2 Gardner rotating armored domes with 2 machine guns on the long ends of the fort

World War I

The fort was quiet until 12:20pm on June 8, 1916, when during the Battle of Asiago, 3 of the fort’s cupolas were struck by 305mm Mörsers. Despite being able to occupy the fort, the Austro-Hungarians decided not to because the fort was unusable. After the Battle of Caporetto in the autumn of 1917, the fort was occupied by the Austro-Hungarians without firing a shot.

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