title: No submodule mapping found in .gitmodules for path and missing .gitmodules file
body: <p>When I run <code>git submodule init</code>, I get the following error:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>No submodule mapping found in .gitmodules for path 'xxx'</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I searched for a <code>.gitmodules</code> file and I cannot find it anywhere.</p>
  
  <p>I have read <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4185365/no-submodule-mapping-found-in-gitmodule-for-a-path-thats-not-a-submodule">this</a> most popular SO question on the same topic. 
  But unfortunately, I cannot solve the problem. Especially given that I no longer have <code>.gitmodules</code>.</p>
  
  <p>According to my GitHub private repo, I still have submodules for my repository. Just that I cannot find the <code>.gitmodules</code> file anywhere.</p>