Battle of Caporetto order of battle – Knowipedia – The Next Generation of Global Knowledge

**Battle of Caporetto order of battle**

**Definition:**
The Battle of Caporetto order of battle refers to the detailed organization and disposition of military units, formations, and command structures involved in the Battle of Caporetto, fought between the Central Powers and the Kingdom of Italy during World War I in October-November 1917.

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# Battle of Caporetto Order of Battle

The Battle of Caporetto, also known as the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, was a significant engagement on the Italian Front during World War I. It took place from October 24 to November 19, 1917, and resulted in a decisive victory for the Central Powers, primarily the Austro-Hungarian Army reinforced by German units. The battle is notable for the innovative use of infiltration tactics and stormtrooper units by the Germans, which led to a rapid breakthrough of the Italian lines.

Understanding the order of battle for Caporetto is essential to comprehending the scale, command structure, and deployment of forces that shaped the outcome of this pivotal conflict. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the order of battle for both the Central Powers and Italian forces, detailing the composition, command hierarchy, and deployment of units involved in the battle.

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## Background

The Battle of Caporetto was fought along the Isonzo River in the northeastern part of Italy, near the town of Kobarid (Caporetto in Italian). Prior to this battle, the Italian Army had launched eleven offensives along the Isonzo River, with limited success and heavy casualties. The Central Powers sought to break the stalemate and force Italy out of the war by launching a surprise offensive.

The German 14th Army, under General Otto von Below, was formed specifically for this operation and included elite stormtrooper units trained in infiltration tactics. The Austro-Hungarian forces, commanded by General Svetozar Boroević, also played a crucial role in the offensive.

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## Central Powers Order of Battle

### Command Structure

– **Overall Command:** General Otto von Below (German 14th Army)
– **Austro-Hungarian Army Group:** General Svetozar Boroević
– **German 14th Army:** Formed for the offensive, included German and Austro-Hungarian units.

### German 14th Army Composition

The German 14th Army was a composite force assembled for the Caporetto offensive, consisting of several corps and divisions, including specialized stormtrooper units.

#### Corps and Divisions

– **German XIV Reserve Corps**
– 3rd Bavarian Infantry Division
– 26th Reserve Division
– 200th Infantry Division (stormtrooper units)

– **German LI Corps**
– 5th Bavarian Infantry Division
– 91st Infantry Division
– 200th Infantry Division (elements)

– **German XXXIX Reserve Corps**
– 50th Reserve Division
– 117th Infantry Division

– **German 51st Corps**
– 14th Infantry Division
– 117th Infantry Division (elements)

### Austro-Hungarian Forces

The Austro-Hungarian Army contributed significantly to the offensive, providing infantry, artillery, and mountain troops.

#### Key Corps and Divisions

– **I Corps**
– 1st Infantry Division
– 42nd Infantry Division

– **XVIII Corps**
– 32nd Infantry Division
– 33rd Infantry Division

– **Group Kosak** (Cavalry and mountain troops)

– **Mountain Corps**
– Specialized mountain infantry units (Alpini equivalents)

### Artillery and Support Units

The Central Powers employed heavy artillery, including howitzers and mortars, to support the infantry assault. The German forces also used poison gas and flamethrowers in the initial phases of the attack.

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## Italian Order of Battle

### Command Structure

– **Overall Command:** General Luigi Cadorna (until October 24, 1917), succeeded by General Armando Diaz after the battle
– **Italian Second Army:** Primary force defending the Caporetto sector
– **Italian Third Army:** Positioned to the south of the Second Army

### Italian Second Army Composition

The Second Army was responsible for the defense along the Isonzo River and was composed of several corps and divisions.

#### Corps and Divisions

– **XI Corps**
– 21st Infantry Division
– 22nd Infantry Division

– **XXVII Corps**
– 19th Infantry Division
– 20th Infantry Division

– **XXIV Corps**
– 8th Infantry Division
– 9th Infantry Division

– **XXVIII Corps**
– 10th Infantry Division
– 11th Infantry Division

### Italian Third Army Composition

The Third Army was positioned south of the Second Army and included:

– **XXI Corps**
– 1st Infantry Division
– 2nd Infantry Division

– **XXII Corps**
– 3rd Infantry Division
– 4th Infantry Division

### Reserve and Support Units

The Italian Army had several reserve divisions positioned behind the front lines, intended to reinforce sectors under heavy attack. Artillery units, including field guns and heavy howitzers, were deployed but were often outmatched by the Central Powers’ artillery.

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## Deployment and Disposition of Forces

### Central Powers Deployment

The German 14th Army was concentrated on a narrow front to maximize the effect of their infiltration tactics. Stormtrooper units led the assault, targeting weak points in the Italian lines to create breaches. The Austro-Hungarian units provided flank security and exploited breakthroughs.

### Italian Deployment

The Italian Second Army was spread thin along a broad front, with many units positioned in static trench lines. The defensive positions were undermanned and poorly supplied, contributing to the rapid collapse once the Central Powers breached the front.

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## Tactical Innovations and Impact on Order of Battle

The Battle of Caporetto is often cited as a turning point in military tactics due to the effective use of infiltration tactics by the German stormtroopers. These tactics involved small, highly trained units bypassing strongpoints and attacking command and supply centers, causing disarray in the Italian defenses.

This approach required a reorganization of the German order of battle to include specialized units and flexible command structures capable of rapid exploitation of breakthroughs.

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## Aftermath and Reorganization

The defeat at Caporetto led to a major reorganization of the Italian Army. General Luigi Cadorna was replaced by General Armando Diaz, who implemented reforms in command and control, troop deployment, and defensive tactics.

The Italian order of battle was restructured to improve flexibility and resilience, with increased emphasis on reserves and mobile defense.

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## Summary Table of Key Units

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## Conclusion

The order of battle for the Battle of Caporetto reflects the contrasting approaches and capabilities of the Central Powers and Italian forces. The Central Powers’ concentrated, innovative use of stormtrooper units and infiltration tactics, combined with effective coordination between German and Austro-Hungarian forces, overwhelmed the dispersed and underprepared Italian defenses.

The battle’s outcome had profound implications for the Italian Front and World War I as a whole, prompting significant changes in military organization and tactics on both sides.

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**Meta Description:**
A detailed overview of the Battle of Caporetto order of battle, outlining the composition, command structure, and deployment of Central Powers and Italian forces during the pivotal 1917 World War I engagement.