Battle of Caporetto
The Battle of Caporetto, which began on October 24, 1917, was a significant conflict during World War I involving Austro-German forces led by Captain Erwin Rommel. They advanced swiftly across the Isonzo River and captured the town of Caporetto, prompting a retreat by the Italian army towards the Piave River near Venice. As the Italian forces struggled to hold their position, Italian leadership changed when General Armando Diaz replaced Conte Luigi Cadorna on November 9. Despite repeated assaults from General Otto von Below's troops, the Italian line held firm, particularly during a final failed attack on November 23. The situation was further stabilized when British and French reinforcements joined the Italians on November 27. Ultimately, the battle marked a critical moment that nearly led to the collapse of Italy's involvement in the war, but the timely support from Allied forces helped avert total defeat. The Battle of Caporetto thus highlights the complexities and shifting dynamics of alliances during World War I.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Battle of Caporetto
Type of action: Ground battle in World War I
Date: October-December, 1917
Location: Caporetto, Austria (later Kobarid, Slovenia) and south to the Piave River in northern Italy
Combatants: Italian and later British and French troops vs. Austrian and German troops
Principal commanders:Italian, Conte Luigi Cadorna (1850–1928), General Armando Diaz (1861–1928); German and Austrian, General Otto von Below (1857–1944)
Result: The successful check of the Austro-German advance into Italy
On October 24, 1917, the Austro-German forces under the command of Captain Erwin Rommel swept across the Isonzo River and occupied the town of Caporetto. The next day, General Otto von Below’s forces reached the Torre River, and the Italian army began its retreat south to the Piave River near Venice. Meanwhile, French and British officials met with the Italians. On November 9, Conte Luigi Cadorna was replaced by General Armando Diaz. Below repeatedly attacked the Italian forces holding out on the Piave but was repulsed. On November 23, Below launched his final attack, which failed to break the Italian line. On November 27, the Italians were joined by British and French troops. German troops were recalled to the western front, ending the Caporetto offensive.
Significance
The Battle of Caporetto almost caused the collapse of Italian participation on the side of the Allies in World War I, but the intervention of British and French troops saved them from defeat.
Bibliography
Caracciolo, Mario. Italy in the World War. Rome: Edizioni Roma, 1936.
Cassar, George H. The Forgotten Front: The British Campaign in Italy, 1917–1918. London: Hambledon Press, 1998.
Falls, Cyril. Caporetto 1917. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1966.
A Farewell to Arms. Fiction feature. Twentieth Century Fox, 1957.
Low, Sidney. Italy in the War. London: Longmans, Green, 1918.