rommel also received prussia's highest medal, the pour le mérite after fighting in the mountains of west slovenia, in battles of the isonzo–soca front. the award came as a result of the battle of longarone, and the capture of mount matajur, slovenia, and its defenders, numbering 150 italian officers, 9,000 men, and 81 pieces of artillery. his battalion used gas during the battles of the isonzo and also played a key role in the victory of the central powers over the italian army at the battle of caporetto. while fighting at isonzo, rommel was taken prisoner by the italians. he escaped, and because he spoke italian, he was back to the german lines within two weeks. later, when the german and italian armies were allied during the second world war, rommel realised that their lack of success in battle was due to poor leadership and equipment, which when fixed, easily made them equal to german forces.