Caporetto 1917

For sure the most famous battle on the Italian Front during the Great War, and a pivotal event of the war on this front. "Caporetto 1917" is a confrontation between two different ways to make war: infiltration tactics against static defense.

"Caporetto 1917" is the third wargame focused on a battle on the Italian Front, following "Strafexpedition 1916" and "Gorizia 1916," using the same system and scale.

It includes a series rulebook with the 2nd edition rules, applicable to both "Strafexpedition 1916" and "Gorizia 1916," incorporating consolidated errata and more detailed rules for artillery use. The Specific Rules address this particular battle, with game turns representing 12 hours instead of a full day. In the historical campaign game, the Italians cannot win outright; instead, the two players or teams play as the Austro-German and Italian right wing versus the Austro-German and Italian left wing. Specifically, the Krauss and Stein Groups attack the Italian IV Corps, while the Berrer and Scotti Groups engage the Italian VII Corps and part of the XXVII.

The map spans from Mount Canin and Rombon in the west to the Tolmino bridgehead in the east, and from Plezzo and Monte Nero in the north to Cividale and the Friuli plains in the south. It is divided into sectors where each player or team must achieve objectives faster than their opponent.

The campaign game is expansive, featuring two maps and over 1,000 units and markers, but it is also short, covering the period from October 24th to October 27th, when General Cadorna orders a general withdrawal in an irrecoverable situation. After 8 game turns, Austro-German troops are expected to have advanced across the entire map. The Caporetto campaign game is a fast-paced challenge and an exploration of two different approaches to warfare in World War One.

In "Caporetto 1917," players encounter units and specializations from the previous games, alongside Stosstruppen, Arditi, gas attacks, mine warfare, and more. Smaller scenarios cover specific episodes of this epic confrontation, and an alternative campaign game allows the Italian player to freely deploy reserves to test whether the battle could have been more favorable for the Italian forces.

Welcome to the mobile warfare in the Great War.

The third volume of the series proposes, in turns of 12 hours each, the first four decisive days of the battle of Caporetto, in four scenarios:

1. The historical battle: The complete battle in the first four days, with the historical disposition of the Italian Army, in which the two players are both attacking and defending, respectively manoeuvering one wing of each side: attacking with an Austro-German wing, defending with the Italian one opposite the opponent. Each player, or team of players, will have to reach their goals faster than the opponent.

2. The battle that might have been: The battle as it might have been if the Italians had been better prepared. The clash is between the Italian player, who can arrange his troops more carefully and respond more quickly to the enemy manoeuvres, and the Austro-German player, however stronger, who must break through against a prepared enemy.

3. The Battle of Cividale: The final phase of the breakthrough on the Italian right flank. A short scenario, to learn the system, or commit a little time.

4. The Fall of Monte Maggiore: The final phase of the breakthrough on the Italian left flank. This is also a short and undemanding scenario.