The introduction to the NYRB edition of Kaputt says that Malaperte's original draft of the Warsaw section had Hans Frank written up as the hero; obviously that

The introduction to the NYRB edition of Kaputt says that Malaperte's original draft of the Warsaw section had Hans Frank written up as the hero; obviously that would not have worked for post-war publication. I don't doubt that the man was a skillful writer, but I have little time for a historical chronicler I can't believe. Also a) the Allies didn't go on the offensive in 1918 until August, b) were the Italians in fact fighting in the Alps after Caporetto?, c) the US Army has or had staff sergeants, but staff colonels?