On behalf of the International Association for Military Geosciences, I am delighted to provide the First Call for ICMG19 – The 13th International Conference on Military Geosciences.
ICMG19 – The 13th International Conference on Military Geosciences, Padova (Italy), 24 – 28 June 2019
Conference Theme: Peace Follows War: Geosciences, Territorial Impacts And Post-conflict Reconstruction
The Conference will be held between Monday 24 June and Friday 28 June 2019, at the University of Padova in northern Italy. The Conference is being organised on behalf of the IAMG by the Department of Historical and Geographic Sciences and the Ancient World (DiSSGeA).
Location
The University of Padova is located in north-eastern Italy, 20 minutes from Venice. It is close to the beaches of the Adriatic Sea and to the Dolomites, one of the most scenic regions of the Alps. Conference delegates and accompanying guests have easy access to the historic cities of northern and central Italy such as Milan, Verona, Bologna, Florence and Rome (ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours train journey) with their many artistic treasures. The recommended port of arrival is the International Airport Marco Polo in Venice.
Provisional Program – Conference
- Sunday 23 June – Icebreaker: 1800 – 2000hrs at the Geographical Section of the DiSSGeA Department. Wine tasting and food for which Italy is justifiably famous.
- Monday 24 June – Opening Ceremony & Key Notes 0900 – 13:00hrs; Scientific Session 1400 -18:00hrs; evening visit to the Cappella degli Scrovegni and/or Padova City Center.
- Tuesday 25 June – Scientific session 0900 – 1300hrs; Poster Session 1430 – 1600hrs; evening visit to S. Pelagio Air Museum (via bus transfer at 1600hrs); Conference Dinner at the Euganean Hills winery and restaurant; return to accommodation at 2300hrs.
- Wednesday 26 June – Mid-conference excursion – Venice fortifications: the Naval Arsenal and WW1 forts. Transfer by bus or train to Venice. Visit of Forte Marghera. Provisionally, a boat tour in the lagoon with lunch on a lagoon island. Visit to the Naval Arsenal of Venice. Free evening in San Marco Square and return to Padova by group bus or independently by train (30 minutes).
- Thursday 27 June – Bus transfer to Montello Hill. Scientific session 1000 – 1300hrs; Field trip to the battlefield and visit of the WW1 Sacrarium (military cemetery). Visit and evening dinner at the Great War Memorial.
- Friday 28 June – Scientific sessions 0900 – 1500hrs. IAMG Biennial General Meeting 1500 – 1700hrs.
Themes
The following themes have been identified as being of significant interest. Other topics may be considered upon receipt of abstract. This list will be updated in the next circular and potential attendees are encouraged to contact the organisers with thoughts on additional themes.
- The Alpine operational environment
- WW1 era history of northern Italy
- Post-conflict reconstruction
- Military tunnelling
- Venetian military history
- Conflict archaeology
Abstracts
Abstracts are limited to 1,200 words and may contain references and up to three illustrations. Details regarding submission, including a submission template, will be provided with the second circular. Deadline for abstract submission: 31 January 2019.
Conference Committee
- President – Prof G.L. Fontana
- Secretary – Prof Aldino Bondesan
- Members:
- Roberto Francese
- Marco Mondini
- Francesco Ferrarese
- Ted Rose
The Conference Committee will be supported by members from the Council of the Association, including:
- The Association President – Cdr (Dr) Hennie Smit (South Africa)
- The Association Secretary – Maj Drew Craig (UK)
- Representative from ICMG 2015 – Annapolis, USA – Prof Peter Guth
- Representative from ICMG 2017 – Stellenbosch, South Africa – Cdr (Dr) Jacques Bezuidenhout
Post-Conference Excursion: Italian Alps from WW1 to Cold War (5 days)
During the tour participants will visit the battlefields, museums, memorials and cemeteries of the Italian Alps and Piave frontline. The tour includes several WW1 glacial ‘White War’ sites, including high mountain emplacements (up to 3,000 masl), mine warfare sites, fortresses, military tunnels, and the largest Memorials and Military Museum of Northern Italy. Most of the battlefields are in the Dolomites, probably the most famous mountains of the alpine range which is in turn reflected in its status as a UNESCO World Heritage area.
Provisional Program – Excursion
- Day 1 – Saturday 29 June – Transfer from Padova to Trento. Cogollo del Cengio war track; Thunder Base (Cold War American base); War Museum of Rovereto; overnight in Trento. Museo della Grande Guerra di Rovereto.
- Day 2 – Sunday 30 June – Air Force Museum “Caproni”, Trento; transfer from Trento to Marmolada Glacier. Cableway to Mount Marmolada. Serauta defensive Italian positions (field excursion). Passo Fedaia War Museum. Overnight in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
- Day 3 – Monday 1 July – Transfer from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Lagazuoi. Cableway to Lagazuoi high mountain battlefield. Descent by cableway or by foot through a system of WW1 galleries and fortifications. Visit of the Forte Tre Sassi museum. Overnight in Cortina.
- Day 4 – Tuesday 2 July – Transfer from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Monte Piana open air museum. 4-wheel-drive mountain trip to Italian and Austroungarian fortifications. Visit to the 3 Cime di Lavaredo and Monte Croce Comelico Pass. Overnight in Auronzo di Cadore.
- Day 5 – Wednesday 3 July – Transfer from Auronzo di Cadore to the Cold war bunkers at Savogna. Then, Redipuglia (Biggest WW1 Memorial; Memorial of Redipuglia . Transfer to Caorle beach or to Trieste.
- Day 6 – Thursday 4 July – Transfer to the Venice International Airport, to Venice or to Padova.
Key Dates
- First circular: May 2018
- Second circular: October 2018
- Third circular: December 2018
- Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2019
- Abstract acceptance notification: 15 February 2019
- Registration deadline: 28 February 2019
- Fourth and final circular: March 2019