A Brief History
On October 26, 1917, a force of only 100 German Army soldiers led by Oberleutnant (First Lieutenant in American talk) Erwin Rommel took Mt. Matajur from an Italian defensive force of 7,000 men, a key part of the German/Austro-Hungarian victory at the Battle of Caporetto (aka The 12th Battle of the Isonzo).
Digging Deeper
Rommel earned the highest German military medal of the time for his exploits, the Pour le Merite (sometimes called colloquially The Blue Max) but his main comments were for his men to be better fed, which says a lot about his leadership.
To illustrate how amazing this feat of military prowess was, you should know that military tactics call for an attacking force to outnumber a defensive force by a ratio of 3 to 1 to have a reasonable chance of victory. To beat an entrenched army when outnumbered 70 to 1 is virtually unheard of!
Rommel and other German commanders made good use of some of the newer technology during the Battle of Caporetto, including machine guns, light and portable mortars, flamethrowers, hand grenades, and at the upper levels, poison gas. Rommel’s Alpine troops were essential for securing the high ground to allow a chance for the success of Central Powers forces.
Initial victory by Central Powers forces resulted in their men being spread over a larger area, allowing the soundly defeated Italians a respite which resulted in resumed attrition warfare. The Italians did suffer greatly at Caporetto, losing 10,000 dead, 30,000 wounded, and a whopping 265,000 captured. Italy also lost 3000 cannon, 3000 machine guns, and 2000 mortars along with mass quantities of other supplies. Central Powers losses were also high, with 70,000 total dead and wounded, but with negligible numbers captured.
Rommel went on to great success during World War II, marching up the ranks to Field Marshal. Wounded in July 1944 after the June 1944 Normandy invasion, he was implicated in the plot to blow up Adolf Hitler (Valkyrie) and was allowed to commit suicide in lieu of a trial and execution, keeping his honor and family intact. His reputation among Germans is so high it is virtually mythical, and among his opponents (British and American) military men then and even now his reputation is of the highest order.
Question for students (and subscribers): We will leave further research up to our readers to decide just how much of a military genius Rommel was, but if capturing Mt. Matajur during the Caporetto campaign is any indication, it would certainly seem so! Please let us know what you think in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Butler, Daniel Allen. Field Marshal: The Life and Death of Erwin Rommel. Casemate, 2015.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="14832 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=14832">71 Comments
He is to Germany like what Patton is to us basically.
I do not agree that committing suicide allows anyone to maintain their honor.
70 to 1! There has to be more to the story of that battle than just having superior technology.
Not sure if Rommel was a military genius or not, but the article does mention he might have used poisonous gas. It would be hard for the troops to fight against that and using the gas does not seem very ethical.
I think Rommel just had really good technology rather than military knowledge. I am shocked he would get a choice to commit suicide or not as a punishment.
When one shows that he truly cares about his troops, his troops will fight harder for him. That and it helps to have advances in technology on your side when it comes to fighting. I mean Rommel had success during WW2 and at that time technology on both sides was pretty darn close. Hitler was paranoid about everyone close to him.. Rommel wasn’t the only one that was either killed or given that option. Rommel died by cyanide capsule.
It’s commendable that his main goal was better treatment of his soldiers!
I am not surprised he chose suicide instead of punishment. I agree that he was some what of a genius because technology
He is the kind of leader that I would want since his main comment was that he wanted his men better fed. They used their weapons to the best of their advantage, but lost much of it during battle.
I think that suicide vs. punishment is the “chicken” way out of things. I could see why he chose to do this, but it still makes me mad.
Rommel, no wonder allied forces were so scared of him during the war. what a genius
I love that his first instinct was to make sure his soldiers were fed. This is a characteristic of a true leader. I believe this is why he was so successful.
I would say he was a genius, definitely at warfare anyway. A great strategist, but I would say I don’t agree with the suicide thing, that is cowardly. He cared about his troops though and showed great leadership!
I feel that by choosing suicide over a punishment just goes to show his weakness. He was intelligent and a leader overall, but his decision brought a lot of weakness about, which I do not like.
Rommel seemed like he was an amazing leader and down to earth guy. I know I would not mess with him as it seems like he knew what he was doing.
I find it crazy to fight an entrenched army anyway, but to win with a ratio of 70 to 1 is amazing to me.
The fact that Rommel cared more about his men being fed rather than his personal awards and accolades shows that he had a lot of character. Overall, I believe that today’s leaders should look up to this.
Rommel caring more about whether or not his men were fed says a great deal on the leader that he was. Winning a war with odds stacked highly against you says a lot. It is hard to imagine how they were able to win this war, but the fact that they did win is absolutely amazing.
This article shows us the importance of a good leader in a war. Rommel as an amazing leader played an important role in the history.
Oberleutnant Erwin Rommel definitely seems to be a great military leader consider the fact that he beat an entrenched army when outnumbered 70 to 1.
Rommel is a great example for leaders today. He shows how great leadership can really make a difference, especially when for underdogs who are outnumbered 70-1!
Rommel clearly showed great leadership and him winning with 70-1 is amazing to me. It shows what a great leader can really do.
It is amazing to see that Rommel was such a great leader and how he showed great leadership.
It really means a lot to me that a leader of that sort cared more for his men than the outcome. As a leader, it shows his true character.
I think its cool to learn about the good leaders on the “bad” side of the war.
Some people like to be villains and this article show the bad sides inner, and a little of digging deeper on a different point of view.
there are two sides to every story, and it’s nice to hear the “bad” side
Not everybody on the “bad” side is actually a bad person. It just goes to show that sometimes good people get caught up in bad situations.
You need to hear every side to each story because there always is one. Each needing to be evaluated because the “bad” person might not really be a bad person. Glad to know the actually bad side of things.
I am still in awe that flame throwers were actually used as weapons during a time of war.
Definitely inspiring to see a good-willed person in bad times.
A man that shows selflessness in a position of power is a good man in my book.
Rommel really was a genius, his ideas were great.
geniuses come in all different shapes
Outgunned usually ends in a win. From what I have read in other stories, many German Officers carried cyanid pills so that their secrets would not be known by the enemy.
It seems impossible that he should have orchestrated that military win. The odds were certainly against him and his troops. I am most interested in his involvement in Valkyrie. I think only because he was held in such esteem was he permitted to commit suicide rather than stand trial.
It just goes to prove brain strength is just as important as physical strength.
The technology at the time the Germans were using was light years ahead of other armies. While he was no doubt a military genius, his men simply outgunned everyone they came in contact with.
It seems like he did a pretty good job to me but a genius i’m not sure about.
It must be an amazing honor for your country to respect you especially as a military leader, but it’s an even greater feat if you can command the respect of your enemies. For a single man to face such great odds and concur over them is truly amazing.
I once saw a movie like that called 300
Beating an army when you are outnumbered 70 to 1 is incredible. It sounds like Rommel was very well respected by the German people.
What an amazing feat. Definitely had the odds stacked against them.
Seems like he was a military master mind in his day. He was one step ahead of the enemy, considering he was outnumbered 70-1. I also find it interesting that the practice of allowing him to commit suicide to keep his dignity and respect for him and his family was a common practice back then.
I find it highly interesting that he was almost involved in the killing of the most horrific dictator of all time. No wonder he is viewed as being one of the best military leaders of all time!
He was truly a military leading genious. Obviously, he showed no fear!
I have watched several movies referencing Rommel and never knew the backstory of him. I am sure his military tactics are still in use today.
I wasn’t aware that killing yourself and committing suicide was an option back then instead of going through a trial. It says that this kept his family honor in tact. I think a lot of people look at suicide as something that is dishonorable because it would seem like the “chicken” way out of things.
I have read many military leadership books in my time in military and Rommel is always mention as one of the best military leadership out there. But I didn’t know was that he committed suicide to void trial.
This man was a genius considering he was outnumbered 70-1. He would of defiantly been someone to learn from.
The movie 300 reminds me of this.
I’m still absorbing the fact that the Germans won with 100 men against 7,000 Italian forces. I just don’t understand how you can win a battle when you’re outnumbered 70 to 1.
Rommel was a great leader. He was able defeat a force of 7000 men, with his 100 army soldiers. Using newer technology and his knowledge he learned to overpower larger forces, making Rommel a successful powerful leader.
I wonder how he convinced his men to fight with those odds. He must have been an incredible leader.
Being out numbered 70 to 1 is practically unheard of but being able to defeat the enemy with these numbers against your is incredible.
It shows that his men had a fierce belief in him following him into battle with 70-1 odds against them. And to come out the victor is a even greater feat.
70:1 is very impressive!!!!
Someone that can face 70-1 odds, and come out the winner, is a powerful person in my eyes.
It was sad to learn that such a notable military leader was forced to commit suicide for trying to kill Hitler. Nevertheless, I too agree to win a battle after being outnumbered 70 to 1 is an amazing feat! No wonder he is legendary among military men.
2:1 odds are bad. But 70:1?!? You’ve got to be kidding me!
It is crazy to me that the phrasing is “he was ALLOWED to commit suicide”. That speaks to the level of
honor that this man had. He voluntarily killed himself to keep his integrity. A different time.
That is a lot of people wounded, dead and captured.
What a huge accomplishment of his part! With that kind of ratio, it is simply outstanding that he won the defeat. I am a little sad that he died because he tried to kill Hitler.
Wow being outnumbered to that extent is so crazy! I have never heard of that.
The number of dead is staggering!
I agree with everyone else, 70 to 1 ratio is insane. I’ve never heard of him, and his extreme courage.
70:1 Ratio?! Who wouldn’t say that is amazing?! Also, it was sad to read he committed suicide to save his honor when being caught in planning on killing Hitler. Should he had accomplished that feat he would be ranked higher in history and imagine all of the lives he would have saved.
70:1?! That’s crazy! I definitely commend him for his courage!
I think this is interesting. It’s pretty cool that this happened.
I agree that it does say a lot about Rommel’s leadership/character that he wanted his men to be better fed.
I find it crazy that he was allowed to commit suicide instead of going through a trail and execution. I can’t imagine taking my own life.