Page 3 No. 230 11. Invasion of British Isles. It is unlikely that Germany could undertake solarge and risky operation as long as Russia remains undefeated. C0NCLUSI0N 12, Most probable Geman major operation likely to be made through Ukraine (? towards) Caucasus to obtain oil. Meanhile, every effort will be made to control the central and eastern Moditerranean and to maintainand (?exploit) the position in North Africa. 13. Following is our estimate of force Germany would require for operation referred to in paragraph 5 to 11 above and of time that must olapse between begining of withdrawal of divisions from Russia. and concentration of force ready for attack in several theatres of operation, "Z" day is date on which withdravfal of divisions beginning: (A) Renewed offensive against Russia. (I) An offensive all along the Russian Front, We cannot as yet see possibility of this operation, Forces required more than Germans have got, (ii) Thrust in south towards Caucasia (while containing Russian armies in north and centre), Force required against Caucasia some 30 Divisions (of which some 4 to 6 armoured and 4 to 6 motorised) and 1500 aircraft, Earliest date by which this operation could be developed, Concentration on the southorn sector Z upward 2-1/2 months, Fall of Rostov Z plus 3 months, Occupation of Maikop -Tuapso area Z plus 4 to Z plus 4-1/2 months, Occupation of Srozni area Z plus 5 months, 0ccupation of Batum- Balu area dependent on degree of resistance in Caucasia. ?(B) Thrust through Turkey towards Syria and thence Iraq and/or Egypt, Land force required 20 Divisions (including 4 armoured and 6 motorisod), Air force required -- if Germans do cided to attack Turkey they would expect Turks to receive air assistance from ourselves, Unlikely therefore that Germans would attack until they had assembled, in area from central Mediterranean to Black Sea (which must be breated as a whole) some 1500 aircraft in addition to all available Italian aircraft. DECLASSIFIED JCS memo, 1-4-74 By RHP, NLR, Date FEB 19 1974 |