Later , when the German and Italian armies were allied during the Second World War , Rommel realized that their lack of success in battle was due to poor leadership and equipment , which when fixed , easily made them equal to German forces . In the Second World War , when the Germans and Italians were allies , Rommel tempered his initial disdain of Italian soldiers , when he realized that their lack of success was principally due to poor leadership and equipment . When these difficulties were overcome they were equal to German forces .