Part 9/11:
Despite these obvious shortcomings, some historians argue that the failures were not solely due to Italian weaknesses but also influenced significantly by German oversight and operational planning. Mussolini's rushed declarations to join the Axis powers, coerced by Hitler's ambitions, overlooked the realities of Italy’s capabilities. There is a perspective suggesting that Mussolini was less enthusiastic about the alliance than assumed. Analysts posit that he may have sought to use war as a means of constraining German ambitions, indicating a more cautious approach despite overt militaristic rhetoric.
The Italian campaigns, perceived as imperial endeavors, also unfolded within the broader context of Germany's strategic calculations, which often sidelined Italy’s operational needs.