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The original was posted on /r/askhistorians by /u/dhxmpyr on 2023-08-25 03:08:19+00:00.

One common point I’ve heard from multiple sources about the Second World War is that the Germans were excellent at rearguard actions. Apparently they were able to inflict large casualties in Barbarossa even when they were in full retreat. I’ve heard similarly that the German defence of Italy and North Africa was notably for the skill of its rearguard defence. Why is this?