Strategy & Tactics #337: Caporetto & Italy 1917–18 is a two-player operational wargame simulating the climactic final year of the Italian Front during World War I. Spanning from the devastating Central Powers’ offensive at Caporetto in October 1917 through to the war’s conclusion in late 1918, this game recreates one of the most dramatic and hard-fought campaigns of the Great War.

• Historical Background: In October 1917, combined Austro-Hungarian and German forces launched a surprise attack near the town of Caporetto (modern Kobarid, Slovenia). The Italian Army, already stretched thin after years of brutal trench warfare, collapsed under the assault, retreating more than 100 kilometres before stabilising the front along the Piave River. Despite the disaster, Italy recovered, reorganised its command, and with Allied support, eventually achieved victory in 1918. Caporetto & Italy 1917–18 places players in command of exhausted yet determined armies struggling for control amidst the mountains, rivers, and trenches of northern Italy.
• Gameplay & Objectives: One player commands the Italian Army, defending its homeland against repeated offensives while preparing for a final counterattack. The other controls the Central Powers, directing Austro-Hungarian and German divisions in their attempt to crush Italian resistance before the war ends. The key to victory lies in maintaining morale, managing limited resources, and capturing or holding vital objectives such as Caporetto, Venice, and the Piave Line.
• Game System & Scale: Each game turn represents one month of operations, reflecting the shifting pace of attrition, reinforcement, and recovery during the late war. Each hex represents 10 kilometres across the mountainous terrain of the Italian Front. Units are divisions, brigades, or equivalents, with counters representing formations on both sides weakened by years of continuous fighting. Weather, morale, and logistical strain all play crucial roles in determining the effectiveness of both armies, adding realistic operational tension to every move.
• Strategic Challenges: Players must contend with the harsh conditions of Alpine warfare — narrow valleys, mountain passes, and fortified riverlines. For the Central Powers, success depends on sustaining momentum before their forces collapse under exhaustion and supply shortages. The Italian player must endure the initial onslaught and rally in time for the war’s closing offensives. Every turn is a test of endurance, timing, and leadership.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour map depicting the rugged Italian Front from the Alps to the Adriatic
• 228 die-cut counters representing Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and German formations
• Detailed rulebook covering movement, combat, morale, and command structure
• Player aids and historical notes on the 1917–18 campaigns

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Operational
Turn: 1 Month
Hex: 10 Kilometres
Units: Divisions, Brigades, and Equivalents

Gameplay Focus: Caporetto & Italy 1917–18 brings to life the desperate final struggle of two weary empires on the brink of collapse. With its blend of historical realism and strategic decision-making, it challenges players to rewrite the outcome of one of the Great War’s most dramatic campaigns.

Strategy & Tactics #337: Caporetto & Italy 1917–18 is perfect for enthusiasts of World War I history, operational warfare, and classic hex-and-counter design.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s most trusted retailer for historical wargames and strategy titles for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast local shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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