The First World War military cemetery in Log pod Mangartom is one of the most poignant memorials of the Isonzo Front and a solemn reminder of the soldiers who fell on the harsh mountain battlefields beneath Rombon. At the center of the cemetery stands a striking monument erected by the Austro‑Hungarian military authorities in honor of the fallen defenders of this sector.
The monument depicts a mountain infantryman and a Bosnian soldier wearing a fez—two emblematic figures of the multi‑ethnic Austro‑Hungarian army. It was created in 1917 by the Czech sculptor Ladislav Kofránek (1880–1954), who served on the Isonzo Front and drew inspiration from his own wartime experience and the camaraderie among soldiers of different nationalities. His sculpture blends realism, dignity, and the symbolism of military brotherhood forged in the extreme conditions of high‑mountain warfare.
Approximately 800 soldiers are buried in the cemetery, most of them belonging to the 4th Bosnian‑Herzegovinian Infantry Regiment, one of the most renowned and heavily engaged units of the Austro‑Hungarian army.
The Bosnian-Herzegovinian Regiments in the Austro‑Hungarian Army
The Bosnian‑Herzegovinian infantry regiments—often referred to simply as Bosniaks—were among the most distinctive, respected, and battle‑tested units in the Austro‑Hungarian military. Formed after the empire assumed administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, these regiments quickly gained a reputation for endurance, discipline, and exceptional combat ability.
Organization and Characteristics
The regiments were composed of soldiers of various ethnic and religious backgrounds—Muslims, Orthodox Christians, and Catholics—but became widely associated with their Muslim members, who wore the characteristic red fez, a symbol that made them instantly recognizable on the battlefield.
Key features of the Bosnian‑Herzegovinian regiments included:
• Rigorous training adapted to mountainous terrain, ideal for the conditions on the Isonzo Front.
• Outstanding physical endurance, enabling long marches, night operations, and survival in extreme weather.
• High discipline and a strong sense of unit cohesion.
• Excellence in close‑quarters combat, which earned them respect—and fear—among Italian troops.
• Multilingual capability, as soldiers often communicated in German, Bosnian, and local dialects in the regions where they served.
Role on the Isonzo Front
On the Isonzo Front, the Bosnian‑Herzegovinian regiments were deployed to some of the most demanding and exposed positions, including:
• Rombon
• Krn
• Batognica
• Mrzli vrh
• Čukla
• The Upper Soča Valley
These positions were notorious for extreme cold, snow, avalanches, steep rock faces, and constant artillery fire. Despite the brutal conditions, the Bosniaks were often the last to abandon a position and the first to retake it.
Italian accounts describe them as “fearless, swift, and deadly effective in night attacks,” while Austro‑Hungarian commanders frequently cited them as examples of unwavering military resilience.
The 4th Bosnian-Herzegovinian Infantry Regiment
The 4th Regiment, whose soldiers are most numerous among the graves in Log pod Mangartom, was heavily engaged on Rombon and other high‑mountain positions above Bovec. Their casualties were severe, reflecting the intensity of the fighting in this sector. The regiment became known for its ability to withstand Italian pressure even when other units were nearing exhaustion.