Rommel and Caporetto

by Eileen Wilks, John Wilks

Rommel was but a lieutenant in 1917, assigned to one of the German mountain units sent to Italy for the new offensive. As the German and Austrian troops launched their surprise attack at Caporetto, Rommel often found himself in command of many times the number of troops normally led by one of his rank. Rommel led mountain infantry and machine-gunners in many daring advances over some of the world's roughest terrain, on one occasion taking 9,000 prisoners in a single day. Rommel came away from the campaign with Germany's most coveted decoration, and had laid the foundation of a legend. John and Eileen Wilks have been studying the Caporetto campaign for many years, and have drawn upon official records to reveal the influential early days of one of history's greatest military commanders.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Rui Valente · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well researched book about the Battle of Caporetto in 1917 and Rommel's account of it. It can be considered a critical review of Rommel's Infanterie Greift An, which was what I was looking for when I bought it.
The maps, however, tough numerous and not very easy to follow and the Pen and Sword edition ommits the plates completely, tough lazily keeping their references in the text.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very straightforward account of the situation/preparation/battle at Caporetto; the book also describes Rommel’s actions and tactics during the campaign. The narrative is particularly clear in describing the situation prior to Caporetto. Although some of the narrative describing details of particular battle actions are a little tedious, overall the book reads nicely.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptionally thorough. Precisely recounts Lieutenant Rommel's actions in the Caporetto campaign, as it fits in the context of the entire 12th Isonzo battle.