While the muddy and horrific trench warfare of the Western Front has become the most enduring image of World War I, some of the conflict’s bloodiest battles were fought high in the mountains of the Italian Front.

At the start of the war in 1914, the Kingdom of Italy was part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but refused to commit troops to their allies’ campaigns, arguing that their obligations were purely defensive.

The Italians also had their eyes on several territories controlled by Austria-Hungary along the Adriatic coast and the Alps.

After the British promised them these lands in exchange for allegiance, the Italians switched sides and declared war on Austria-Hungary.