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Rather than argue back and forth with tony t about how well the Italian army fought in the second world or well regarded they were by their opponents, I will suggest any interested to read historical accounts of how well they performed and judge for themselves.
I wasn't aware that we were having an argument nor was I attempting to provoke one. I'm sorry if you feel I was trying to do that.
The only intent behind my posts was to provide an alternative take on things based on information I have accumulated through many years of reading and looking more closely at the subject. Like you, not only would I suggest but I would encourage people who are serious about military history to delve into not just Italy's role in the war, but the other Axis members as well. There are so many interesting facts and stories to be found there. I find it sad that the mainstream histories of the war, for whatever reason, have chosen to omit or ignore them. But the stories are out there. You will just have to dig really deep to find them.
Perhaps argument was not the best word. We were disagreeing on a specific issue and backing our statements up with available facts. Whatever that is
If someone here has a spare thousand or so I reccomend purchasing the Advanced Squad leader system and playing it. It gives a perspective on the combatents that no reading of history can match. Its actually positive about the fighting ability of the Italians compared to much of written history, but its painfully obvious from it that the Italians lacked adequate tanks, artillery and even small arms to fight effectively. Given "half a chance" (as one scenario is labeled) such as during periods of the Nov 1941 British offensive or in Rome in 43 against Germans they performed well. But normally they had no chance, their leadership and equipment was simply hopelessly outmatched and the troops realized this.
Transportation in Western Europe during the 30's still relied heavely on horses, mules and donkeys.
Horse Cavalry? Fighting? No, Horse Cavalry was rather a sport for the Military. Still is.
The Charge of the Polish Cavalry is not true.
Spanish volunteers in the Russian front only saw horses, and not even that since they had to walk to the front from Poland. They were forced to take care of their horses, something they hated since they considered it as "demeaning".
Mules are used by all western armies. I know that Americans used mules in Vietnam because they bought those mules in Spain. I think, not sure, that they still buy mules from Spain.
I am not sure if the US used mules in Vietnam I have never seen any documentation for this; they may have given them to the Vietnamese. They did use elephants. Mules were used by US mountain troops in the second world war I believe.
I am not sure if the US used mules in Vietnam I have never seen any documentation for this; they may have given them to the Vietnamese. They did use elephants. Mules were used by US mountain troops in the second world war I believe.
While I don't know if the mules were actually used in Vietnam I do know that the Special Forces were (are ?) trained to use mules for transportion and carrying supplies.
As you stated, mules were widely used in the Italian theater. The 10th Mountain Division's reconnissance troop was horse mounted until early 1945 when they became mechanized. There was at least 1 charge by horse mounted US troops in Austria in 1945 but I believe this was an ad hoc area created unit rather then an officially established cavalry or mounted infantry unit.
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