Caporetto 1917

The Great War Vol. III: Caporetto 1917

The Battle

Caporetto 1917 offers four scenarios, each representing 12-hour turns covering the first four critical days of the battle:

1. The Historical Battle

   • The full battle, spanning the first four days, features the historical deployment of the Italian Army. Players take on both offensive and defensive roles, maneuvering one wing of their side: attacking with an Austro-German wing while defending against the opponent with an Italian wing. Success depends on achieving objectives faster than your adversary.

2. The Battle That Might Have Been

   • A hypothetical scenario where the Italians are better prepared. The Italian player can strategically deploy forces and respond faster to enemy movements, while the Austro-German player, though stronger, must contend with a more capable opponent.

3. The Battle of Cividale

   • This scenario focuses on the breakthrough's final phase on the Italian right flank. It is a shorter scenario ideal for learning the system or playing a quicker game.

4. The Fall of Monte Maggiore

   • Another short scenario, this one portrays the final phase of the breakthrough on the Italian left flank. It’s equally accessible for newcomers or those with limited time.

Highlights

The game system has been updated to Version 2.0, emphasizing action and reaction at the brigade or regiment level. Planning formation activations is crucial, and the system requires strategic thinking and interaction between units.
Key features include:

• Artillery Operations: Vital to success.
• Morale Dynamics: Troop morale degrades over time due to combat fatigue and losses.

Components

• A 22"x34" map of the battlefield, covering key areas from Monte Canin and Rombon in the west to the Tolmin bridgehead in the east, and from Bovec and Monte Nero in the north to Cividale and the Friuli plain in the south.
• A reduced map of the Tolmin beachhead for managing artillery in the congested sector.
• 1,400 counters representing units, equipment, and tactical elements.
• Rulebooks: System-wide and scenario-specific, incorporating key elements like the Rommel Grouping (Rommel Abteilung), Stosstruppen, gas and mine attacks, and the "Fog of Caporetto."
• Detailed order of battle, based on extensive research.
• Additional sheets for terrain effects, assault and bombardment tables, unit tracking, eliminated units, logistics points, and turn records.
• Boxed set for easy storage and play.

Designer: Andrea Brusati

Historical Introduction

Caporetto, a picturesque mountain village in the upper Soča Valley, has long been a border town. Known as Karfreit in German and Kobarid in Slovenian, its Italian name has become infamous in history.

The battle of Caporetto, also called the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, is one of Italy’s most iconic military disasters. Following the Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo, where the Italian Army advanced across the Isonzo River, a precarious salient was created, threatening Ljubljana and Trieste.

A counteroffensive was critical to halt the Italians and prevent future offensives. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire lacked the resources to mount a decisive attack alone. German reinforcements formed the 14th Army, composed of elite divisions experienced in mountain warfare and fresh from successes in Riga and Romania.

This force introduced innovative tactics and weaponry unseen on the Italian front, culminating in Operation Waffentreue ("Faithfulness of Arms"), which aimed to push the Italians back to the Tagliamento River. The results far exceeded expectations, marking the battle as a turning point in the Italian campaign.

Caporetto 1917 recreates these pivotal first days, bringing the drama and strategy of this historic battle to life.