Reason?

This is coolbert:

"Manco il fortuno, Non il valore." - - "We were short on luck, Not on bravery"

Came across this by accident.

An article that deals with Italian military ineptness in World War One [WW1] and World War Two [WW2].

Devoted readers will recognize that this is a subject I have touched upon before.

So has another writer. This one a professional military man.

"THE ITALIAN MILITARY ENIGMA

Eric G. Hansen - - Major, USMC.

Quotes extensively from the writings of Erwin Rommel. Concerning the breakdown of Italian forces at Caporetto. Another recent blog entry of mine has also touched on this same subject!

From the article:

"why is it that Italy, among all those countries which have been relatively unsuccessful militarily, been singled out as being particularly inept?"

"Even those who know very little about military
history can readily produce a joke dealing with some aspect of
Italian military inability.

There is common reference, for
example, to Italian tanks which have one forward and three
reverse gears, or to used Italian military rifles for sale which
have been dropped only once'. Ethnic jokes are, of course,
common [ly], are not told maliciously, and many are admittedly funny,
but this particular negative association between Italians and
military capability nevertheless raises interesting questions."

Dupuy suggests that ONE reason among many as to why the German soldier did so well in WW2 was because of "national characteristics".

It is said of the Italian:

"by himself in a dark back-alley knife fight the Italian is a rough customer. Put that same Italian in a uniform with a rifle at war and he will cower in a basement for the duration!!"

It is said of the German:

"a German will not even run a yellow traffic light. Put that same German in uniform with a rifle at war and he does the most terrible things!!"

Is any of the above true?? Over stated and malicious stereotyping??

[if anything, the Marine Major is too kind to the Italians. Does not even mention Taranto or Mattapan. Italian ineptness was across the board!! Sure were unlucky a whole lot of times!]

coolbert.