Italian 10th Army

**Kyt** · 01-20-2008, 11:44 PM

http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cgi-bin/show...lename=591.pdf

The Italian Army developed a sound and unique combined arms doctrine for mechanized warfare in 1938. This new doctrine was called the “War of Rapid Decision.” It involved the use of mechanized warfare in the Italian version of the blitzkrieg. This doctrine evolved from the lessons learned in the Italian-Ethiopian War of 1935 to 1936 and the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939. With Italy’s entry into World War II, military operations ensued along the Libyan-Egyptian border between the Italian 10th Army and a much smaller British 7th Army. The Italian Army in Libya outnumbered the British Army in Egypt by a ratio of four to one. The setting seemed to be ideal for the employment of the War of Rapid Decisions. Moreover, Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, who was the commander of the Italian 10th Army in North Africa during its first campaign in the western desert had pioneered this new form of mechanized warfare during the Ethiopian War. Surprisingly, the Italian forces in Libya did not employ their new doctrine, reverting instead to more conventional techniques of “mass.” It was Graziani’s failure to utilize the doctrine which he had helped to develop that led to Italy’s embarrassing defeat in 1941.

jlemma · 03-19-2008, 11:51 PM

Hello KYT,
A very good observation concerning the Italian 10th army in Africa. True enough, with the constant urging of Mussolini, Graziani hesitantly marched on Bardia. One of the reasons for Graziani's failure to be more aggresive on the offense was the the utter lack of mobility. If one looks at the British counter offensive, and the huge numbers of Italian soldiers taken prisoners by the British, one will note that the Italians were simply overrun because they were walking. Very little transport was avaliable. Moreover, it is interesting to note, that with the arrival of two German panzer divisions, one of which was under strength, only Italian infantry, The British were hurled back in little time. Hence Churchill sacking one Commander after another. We see this similar situation on the Eastern Front. The Germans, highly outnumbered managed to route far superior Soviet forces due to excellent logistics, tactics and mobility(blitzKreig). So, in the larger scope of things I think one needs to keep perspective on the absolute necessity of logistics and mobility
jlemma

**Kyt** · 03-20-2008, 05:51 AM

Welcome jlemma, glad you could join us after the initial hiccup.

Good points. What I noticed in my original post was that doctrine is not the same as reality. Like the Italian's development work of their aircraft, the Italian Army came up with some fantastic ideas but were let down by resources and leadership.

jlemma · 03-20-2008, 07:14 AM

Hello from the colonies and thank you for the warm welcome!
apologize for not reading closer to your statement. Point taken.

Best regards, Joe

**Kyt** · 03-20-2008, 07:21 AM

No worries Joe, more an afterthought on my part.

The irony is that Churchill blamed his generals for the very same reasons that Mussolini blamed his, and yet they both withhedlf vital supplies!!