From: Tank Fixer

snip

1940
35,000 UK troops roll up over 200,000 italian "soldier" in north africa.
Capturing most.

Don't knock the Italian soldiers, they did the best they considering their poor
leadership, being over extended and being less well equipped than the British.

Bear in mind Italy was not prepared to take North Africa and KEEP it. Their
resupply system wasn't very good so not all of their equipment combat losses
were replaced by the time the British showed up.

Another thing to keep in mind is most of the war in North Africa was within a
few kilometers of the Mediterranian coast. Also Tobruk was a thorn in the
Italian's side. This means the Italian army was for all intents and purposes
one long line of men from Lybia westward with a bunch of men tied up at Tobruk.
They kept most of their heavy stuff at Tobruk and in Lybia. Once the British
punched through the lines in Lybia they came across very little serious
opposition.

The Italian leadership flubbed the job. The average Italian soldier was just as
brave as any other soldier.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired