WW1 German uniform

[thestoats]

I found it an interesting read but had nothing to compare it with so was blind to any flaws it may have had. There were plenty of quotes from impressed reviewers on the cover but they may have had much the same problem I did. One thing that did frustrate me a little was the amount of coverage on cultural issues which, while not uninteresting, didn’t really seem to belong there. I was also surprised to find no reference to Arditi - at least under that name, unless my memory is faulty - or that great Italian invention, the sub-machine gun. Otherwise the military aspects appeared to be covered well enough.

The issue with Thompson’s writing isn’t so much the general overview of Italian front, but rather the personal crusade he endeavors upon to portray the Italian army, and Cadorna in particular, in the worst way possible. Thompson finds whatever negative anecdote he can about the Italian army under Cadorna and uses it to craft the picture of a dysfunctional, demoralized force led by stupid, backwards leaders. The Italian army certainly had its problems during the Great War, and Cadorna definitely dealt insurmountable harm to his men’s morale, but many of the claims Thompson makes are either confirmed to be fabricated, or somehow Thompson has access to sources nobody else has seen and that he doesn't feel like sharing. One particular gripe I have with Thompson’s  hyperbolic depiction is the admiration of Luigi Capello. While Capello did disagree with Cadorna’s operational decisions, once given command during the 10th and 11th battles of the Isonzo he managed to rack up even more horrendous casualty figures with less to show than Cadorna (something not mentioned by Thompson). As such, Thompson’s portrayal of the Italian army and Cadorna is more of a caricature rather than a characterization.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Thank you, that is helpful. Could you comment on Thompson’s account of Cadorna’s supposedly draconian disciplinary measures, such as summary executions and decimations?

Edit: I now see that it was you who issued the warning about Thompson’s book in the thread I referred to. I take it his account of the practice of decimation is either unfounded or exaggerated?

[carlos marighela]

Useful review of the Thompson book. Cheers!

Perhaps he was confusing his Capello's and thought it was Fabio? The latter Capello did OK on the Italian front but proved a bit of a mixed bag on the wider, world stage.

Of course, I think there would be few enough Italians today who woud defend General Spalleti.

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Of course, I think there would be few enough Italians today who woud defend General Spalleti.

Perhaps, like the French in 1940, they will seek their salvation in the return of the hero of an earlier conflict. Sadly General Bearzot is unavailable. General Lippi might conceivably be coaxed out of retirement in his country’s hour of need, though whether  he would fare better than Marshal Weygand in similar circumstances must be open to question.