14. If this ring canbe closed, the zblockade of Germany and Italy
will be complete, and German eruptions, e.g. towards the Persian Gulf~
or to the
Atlantic seaboard of Africa, will be prevented, .Furthermore, the
seizing of
the North African coast' may open the Mediterranean to convoys,
thus enormously shortening the route to the Middle East and s~ving
considerable ton-
nage now employed in the long 'haul around the Cape.
THE UNDEP~INING AND WEARING DOWN OF THE GER~LAN RESISTANCE
15. In 1942, the main methods of wearing down Germany's
resistance will be .-
.a. Ever-increasing air bombardment by British
and American Forces
' b, Assistance to'Russia's offensive by all
~vallable means.
c. The blockade.
.d. The maintenance of the spirit of r~volt in the occupied
countries, and the organization Of subversive movements.
DEVELOPMENT OF LAND OFFENSIVES ON THE CONTINENT
16. It does not seem likely that in 1942 any large scale land
offenslye against Germany., except on the Russian front, will be
possible. We must, however, be ready to take advantage of any opening
that may result from the wearing down process referred to in paragraph
15 to conduct limited land offensives.
17,. In 1943 the way may be clear for a return to the Continent~ 'v. ia
the Scandinavian Peninsula, across the Mediterranean, from Turkey into
the
Balkans, or by simultaneous landings in several of the occupied
countries of
:Northwestern Europe Such operations will be the prelude to the final
assault on Germany itself, and the scope of the 'victory programme
should be such as to provide means by which they can be carried out.
THE SAFEGUARDING OF 'VITAL INTERESTS IN THE EASTERN THEATRE
..
18 The security of Australia) New Zealand~ and India must be
maintained and Chinese resistance supported. Secondly, points of
'vantage from
which an offensive against Japan can eventually be developed must
be secured. Our immediate object must therefore be to 'hold'-
a.. 'Hawaii and .Alaska.
b. Singapore, the East 'Indies .Barrier, and the P~-'~-~o=-