25 June 2024

Luigi Capello – World War I Army Commander

Popular General experienced both glory and shame

Luigi Capello's war record initially made him a hero
Luigi Capello's war record
initially made him a hero
General Luigi Capello, who was held in high regard by the Allies during World War I, but was disgraced when his troops suffered a heavy defeat at the Battle of Caporetto, died on this day in 1941 in Rome.

His glamorous reputation was ruined when he was removed from his command after a disastrous defeat by the Austrian army, which resulted in 13,000 Italians killed and up to 300,000 wounded or captured, and he never resumed his military career.

Capello went on to join the Fascists and took part in the March on Rome in 1922. His fall from grace was complete after he was accused of taking part in a failed conspiracy against Mussolini in 1925. He was stripped of his military honours and sentenced to 30 years in prison, although he was released after serving 11.

Born in Intra on the shores of Lake Maggiore in 1859, Capello became a second lieutenant in the Italian Army in 1878 and embarked on military training.

He was promoted to colonel in 1910 and given an infantry regiment to command. After being made a major general, he assumed control of the Abruzzi Brigade assigned to Libya during the Italo-Turkish War.

Capello was promoted to lieutenant general in 1914 and then, after Italy entered World War I in 1915, he was assigned to the 3rd Army.

Capello, pictured on the front line, courted publicity but his popularity was not universally appreciated
Capello, pictured on the front line, courted publicity
but his popularity was not universally appreciated
After being promoted to lieutenant general, his ambitious and confident personality helped him become successful in the Sixth Battle of the Isonzo with the conquest of the city of Gorizia. 

This was the first real Italian victory in World War I and Capello became a hero with the Italian people and with the media, although he was resented by the Army Chief of Staff, Luigi Cadorna, who was jealous of his popularity and infuriated by Capello’s habit of allowing journalists to accompany him on the Italian front.

Capello was given control of the 2nd Army in 1917, which led to the conquest of Bainsizza, another great Italian victory. This reinforced the popular idea that the only Italian successes in World War I were down to Capello personally.

Everything went wrong for Capello on October 24, 1917 when he was placed alongside other armies by his rival General Cadorna to repel the Austro-German offensive. He neglected to organize the 2nd Army for defence, which they had not been used to, and this led to the complete collapse of the front line. Also, Capello had been taken ill and had to relinquish his command during the battle, returning to his post when it was too late to turn things round. 

After the Italians were defeated at the Battle of Caporetto, Capello was blamed for the disaster and he never returned to active service. He was put before a Commission of Enquiry and forced to retire.

Capello’s life came to a sorry end after his early release from the prison sentence handed down for his alleged part in the plot against Mussolini.  Living in an apartment in Rome in 1936, he was kept under surveillance by the Carabinieri until his death there in June 1941.

His military decorations were restored to him posthumously by an official decree in 1947.

An aerial view of the lakeside town of Intra, which adjoins Verbania on the shore of Lago Maggiore
An aerial view of the lakeside town of Intra, which
adjoins Verbania on the shore of Lago Maggiore

Travel tip:

Capello’s home town of Intra on Lago Maggiore is part of the municipality of Verbania. It owes its name to its geographical position, located between two rivers - ‘intra fiumina’ in Latin - in this case the San Bernardino and San Giovanni rivers. A lively tourist resort, it also boasts an interesting historic centre, with Baroque and Neoclassical architectural features to the fore in buildings such as Palazzo Peretti, an opulent villa on Via De Bonis. Look out also, in Piazza Ranzoni, for Palazzo delle Beccherie, and Palazzo del Pretorio, the former town hall that dates back to the 14th century, notable for the sundial painted on its façade. An attractive town to visit, Intra has a waterfront lined with chestnut trees, oleanders, magnolias and conifers, behind which a set of lanes, small courtyards and alleys wind towards the Basilica of San Vittore, a ancient church remodelled with of Romanesque and Baroque features in 1708.

The city of Gorizia, 42km (26 miles) east of Udine, straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia
The city of Gorizia, 42km (26 miles) east of Udine,
straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia
Travel tip:

Architecturally, Gorizia looks like a typical historic Italian town but it has changed hands several times during its history, which is not surprising given its geographical location. Situated at the foot of the Julian Alps on the Isonzo river, it literally straddles the border between Italy and Slovenia and, in fact, is part of a metropolitan area shared by the two countries, the section on the Slovenian side being now known as Nova Gorica.  Once the seat of the independent County of Gorizia, it became part of Austria in 1500 and remained so until after the First World War, when it was annexed by Italy as part of the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919. The town’s historical ties to Austria are still evident in its architecture and cultural heritage. It has German, Slovenian, Friulian and Venetian influences, which can be experienced in particular in the local cuisine.

Also on this day:

1678: Elena Cornaro Piscopia becomes the first woman to be awarded a university degree

1709: The birth of composer Francesco Araja

1900: The birth of actress Marta Abba

1960: The birth of footballer Aldo Serena


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