 In 2010 , Stockings wrote that the Italians were hampered by a faulty defensive concept and poorly designed and built outposts , were weakened by previous casualties , inappropriate doctrine , inferior weaponry ( particularly artillery ) and lacked the means to counter British tanks . Although a significant victory , a belief that the Australians had forced their way through " impenetrable " Italian fortifications , against overwhelming odds and numerical disadvantage , is incorrect since the bulk of the Italian garrison had been placed in the rear . The numerical and technical advantage at the front , " was more often than not in favour of the attackers themselves " . Stockings wrote that the idea arose in ANZAC tradition that it was a " David and Goliath " struggle , between a small band of resolute attackers against hordes of Italian defenders , as presented in history books is not true ; analysis reveals that " Anzac @-@ oriented explanations are found wanting " . The importance of the Battle of Bardia , lay in the challenge it might represent to the wider field of Australian military history and its historians , " when national mythology meets military history " . 
