Hitler's Table Talk

MISTAKES OF ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS 175
It was first of all a mistake to hurl the best regiments of
bersaglieri against solidly fortified French positions, the plans
of which were utterly unknown to the Italian Command, and
to do so in the snow at a height of three thousand metres, and
that precisely at a time when aircraft could play no part. It's
not surprising that these regiments were so sorely tested. We
ourselves could not have achieved any result in such conditions.
If they'd listened to me, they'd have taken the French in the
rear by the Rhine valley.
The second mistake was Africa. The Italians had no protection
against the British tanks, and they were shot like
rabbits. Many senior officers fell beside their guns. That's
what gave them their panic terror of tanks.
The third mistake was their fatal enterprise against Albania.
For this attack they used troops from Southern Italy—exactly
what was needed for a winter campaign in mountainous country,
without proper equipment, over an impracticable terrain, and
without any organisation in depth!
Speaking of that, Keitel, we must see to it that the regiment
of bersaglieri we're expecting is sent immediately onto the job.
They couldn't endure a long march in this season and in such
conditions. Let's prevent these bersaglieri from becoming
demoralised before they've even arrived at the front!
Hitler turns to Sepp Dietrich:
Hoffmann often speaks of his desire to have me visit his
model farm. I can see from here what would happen. He'd
photograph me entering a barn. What publicity for the sales
of his milk! I'd be posted up in all the dairies.
If I agreed to be photographed with a cigar between my
teeth, I believe Reemtsma would immediately offer me half a
million marks!
And why not just as well some publicity for a master furrier?
A pelisse on my back, a muff in my hand, on the look-out to
shoot rabbits !
I once did myself incalculable harm by writing an open
letter to an inn-keeper. I reproached him with the commercial