A personal experience of mine.

My father in law was in the 18th Brigade of the 7th Division at Tobruk.

I was often invited to 'Rats of Tobruk' social evenings, and spent many happy and funny hours over a cleansing ale, talking to him and his mates.

One evening the subject of the German and Italian soldiers and their performance came up. The clear opinion of the men was that the German was a determined and brave soldier, and that the Italian was the opposite, as simple as that.

On one occasion in Tobruk, my FIL was assigned to escort a large group of Italian POWs back to the rear, in company with one of his comrades. An Italian rolled a small hand-grenade towards Bob and it exploded, lodging bits of metal in his back, but doing no other damage. The act earned the Italian a .303 in the head.

John.

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"I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". - Voltaire.