Bor, Gesprache mit Halder. The conspiratorial ineptitude of the German military leaders was attributable not only to inhibitions caused by their upbringing and thought processes but also to a more general lack of adroitness, savoir-faire and finesse. Attolico, the Italian ambassador, in this connection, suggested that:
'The Germans are not given to conspiracy. A conspirator needs everything they lack — patience, knowledge of human nature, psychology, tact ... To fight conditions like those prevailing here, you ought to be persevering and a good dissembler like Talleyrand and Douche. Where will you find a Talleyrand between Rosenheim and Eydtkuhnen?' (quoted by Paul Seabury, The Wilhelmstrasse).