There is sure a lot of difference between my era and yours. All we could do was to hunker down.
It does help to have huge concrete barriers surrounding you. Don't suppose you had those in the Po.
Krauts also had another weapon,Mortar that we calledthe Screaming Meemie. I can't describe how they sounded. But the shells had a very, very EERIE SOUND.
Like a woman screaming
I believe you are referring to the Nebelwerfer (of different calibers). Yes, nasty little device. The Germans were a whole lot more competent than any insurgent (or any Arab military power for that matter. I could tell you a whole lot of stories as to why that is, but it is cultural to be sure.) One thing you can say about your war is that it was a lot simpler. Guidance then, "There's the guy in the other uniform! Shoot him!" Today's guidance "The Iraqi people are not our enemy, but our enemy hides among them" and as a corollary "Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet."