ABSTRACT
In Italy the problem was different in the sense that it involved an enemy country that was about to give in — an old and civilized European nation which had oddly and paradoxically got on the side of barbarians who were as alien and unwelcome to Italians as they were to the reader. Any comparison between that colonial French region and Italy must be somewhat arbitrary, yet from the point of view of the invading Allies there were similarities. Obviously the military man taking over a hitherto hostile and disorganized land must have order if he is to stay there and fight there, or to fight from a base there. Political policies, even in war-time, may be as important as military measures, while after the armistice they become immeasurably more important. The political consequences of military operations were under-rated and misjudged during their campaign in North Africa.
