Giorgio Reiss Romoli: A Triestine Doctor in the Great War

On Tuesday, February 18, as part of the monthly meetings organized by the Società Internazionale di divulgazione Manlio Cecovini per gli studi storici sociali ed etici, a conference was held dedicated to Giorgio Reiss Romoli, a Triestine doctor of Jewish descent and pro-Italian sentiment. The speaker of the evening was Annalisa Giovannini, an archaeologist and curator at the Civic Museums of Cervignano del Friuli and Romans d'Isonzo, who meticulously and passionately traced Reiss Romoli’s biographical journey, reconstructing his story through historical documents and testimonies.

The discovery of this remarkable figure came through Giovannini’s research on the Cemetery of Heroes in Aquileia, a symbolic site of World War I remembrance. The archaeologist analyzed the graves and relics of the fallen, paying particular attention to Reiss Romoli, whose story proved emblematic of the complex historical period in which he lived.

Born in Trieste, he attended the Liceo ginnasio comunale, later renamed Liceo Dante Alighieri, before pursuing medical studies at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he was enlisted as a medical officer in the Austro-Hungarian army and sent to the Galician front. During the conflict, he distinguished himself through his humanity, dedication, and care for the wounded until he was captured by the Russians and interned in Siberia. He then chose to enlist in the Royal Italian Army and joined the Granatieri di Sardegna, the same unit in which his brother Guglielmo was serving.

As a lieutenant doctor, Reiss Romoli worked tirelessly in frontline medical units, often under extreme conditions. He was responsible for quickly assessing the severity of wounds and assigning wounded soldiers a priority code for treatment, marking them with tags attached to their uniform buttons. His ability to calmly evaluate the wounded and his commitment to saving lives earned him deep respect and affection among his comrades.

The speaker highlighted the strong bond between the two brothers and their connection with other figures of the irredentist movement, such as Carlo and Giani Stuparich and Guido Zanetti. The conference retraced the key stages of Reiss Romoli’s life, up until May 24, 1917, when, during an offensive on the Karst Plateau, he left his cover to aid his wounded brother and was fatally shot. His body was initially buried in Case Bonetti, later transferred to the Cemetery of Heroes in Aquileia, and eventually, at his mother’s request, to the Jewish cemetery in Trieste.

The event provided an opportunity not only to delve into the life of Giorgio Reiss Romoli but also to explore the role of Great War archaeology in preserving historical memory. Through her narration, Giovannini brought to life the image of a man driven by ideals and a profound sense of duty, whose sacrifice is part of the broader context of the "lost generation" of 1914-18.

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