Part 10/13:
Throughout the campaign, tensions simmered between the Germans and Italians. Rommel’s repeated calls for Italian reinforcements were unanswered or ignored, and his staff’s hostility towards Italian units, exemplified by the famous "Where is Gambara?" joke, reflected a broader German resentment of Italians. Despite some Italian successes, the Italians' slow pace and perceived lack of effectiveness left the Germans to carry the burden of defeat, with Rommel and Crüwell bearing most of the blame.
Interestingly, pro-Italian sources tend to avoid discussing the “Gambara incident," perhaps to protect Italian honor. However, it’s evident that the overall mismanagement and logistical failures stemmed primarily from German leadership, particularly Rommel’s aggressive tactics and strategic overreach.