Italian M13/40 medium tanks advance into battle. by Ralph Riccio If one were to form an opinion of the performance of Italian armor in the North African theater based upon the scant, and usually uncomplimentary, remarks which are to be found in most English-language publications dealing with the desert war, it would be difficult to conclude other than that the use of Italian armor was very limited, its achievements mediocre, and its performance not even worthy of serious mention. A brief look at one engagement in which Italian armor participated, Bir el Gobi, counters the foregoing conclusions or hypotheses, and gives some insight into the true status of Italian armor in the desert. It is realized that this battle alone does not typify, nor can it summarize, all Italian armored operations in the desert, as many aspects of it are unique. The example is merely meant to engender an awareness that a great deal of information concerning Italian armored operations in North Africa has eit...