i read somwhere that capt rommel and his rifle company breeched the italian line near caporretto so badly that the whole italian front collapsed rommel collected lottsa medals that day as i recall....is this storie true?
Rommel was one of the pioneers of Stormtrooper tactics, the contemporary answer to trench warfare. He practiced his trade mostly on the Italian front. I don't know of the event you describe but I'd say it's likely.
This is grossly overestimated story by Rommel himself (in his book) and emhasised by ww2 propaganda (both German and British). 12.th Soča (Isonzo) offensive was joint effort between A-H (Austro-Hungaian empire) and Germany. German part of the front was in the center (Kobarid (Ital. Caporeto area). Main thrust would be dealt (according to the plan) by K.u.K (Kaisserlihe und Koeniglihe - A-H) forces under command of Svetozar Boroević von Bojna to the south fighting on the flat (more or less) ground north of Trst (Trieste). I reality nobody expected Bavarians to achive braketrough in the center as terrain on that part (and the north) was extremy difficoult (hilly and rocky) and heavily fortified. Bavarian braketrough did had an effect of speeding the colapse of entire Italian army fighting on the Soška (Isonzo) front. Italians had to retreat to river Piava on Italian territory. This was the only smart decision made by Italian general Cadorna during entire war. Italian high command wanted new line on river Tagliament (Taglliamento) (border river between Italy and A-H empire), but defensive line on Tagliament would not be defendible (river is too small and time for organisation of the line was to short). Role of German forces is still considerably overrated. Main reason for succes of the offensive were gas troops sent/trained by Germans and massive concentrations of artillery (first time that A-H had numerical superiority in artilery). Element of suprise had large role as up to now (11 Italian offensives) no army had enough strenght to start such large scale offensive, and Italians thought that A-H will start localised operations. In this context German forces had large role as they took over segment of the line thay allowed A-H to concentrate their forces for offensive. For entire time of fighting on Soča A-H forces were massivley outnumbered by Italians in manpower and artillery. As a side note. If you ever visit Slovenia you absoloutly have to see the lines (cut in bedrock) and caverns on Soška fronta. We had field exercises in the area of Fajtji hrib (eng. pron. Faytyi) south of Gorica (Gorizzia) during my "time". Soška fronta (isonzo front) is still seen as bright moment of Slovene nation ( our regiments defending our national land against Italian invaders - our heredetary enemies). Practicaly all Slovene regiments (7, 17, 27, 47, 87... inf.regiments, 2.mountain reg....) served on this front at one time or another.
