About: Military cableways in the First World War

Military cableways (Italian: teleferiche militari, German: Militär-Seilbahnen) were used in the First World War by Italy and Austria-Hungary to transport supplies up to their troops in mountain sectors of the front. Troops were often in high-altitude positions during the so-called “White War”, far removed from roads, mule tracks, pathways or existing cablecars. Moreover, where such infrastructure did exist, it generally followed the easiest routes and was therefore exposed to enemy fire. Providing the troops on the front line with a reliable supply of food and ammunition therefore often required the building of new infrastructure.