US Version b. If driven from Tunisia, defend the "Island Line, re- maining elsewhere on the de- fensive as above; or (2) To assume the defensive in Russia and occupy the Iberian Peninsula, whilst holding and possibly trying to expand the Tunisian bridgehead, remaining strictly on the defensive else- where; or (3) To assume the defensive in Russia and take the offensive against Allied Forces in North Africa through the Iberian Peninsula, whilst holding and trying to expand the Tunisian bridgehead, remaining strictly on the defensive elsewhere; or (4) To assume the strategic defensive on all fronts. British b. If driven from Tunisia, defend the "Island Line, re- maining elsewhere on the de- fensive as above; (2) To maintain the strategic defensive on all fronts. SPECIAL NOTE- Unless Russia unexpectedly collapses, an attempted occupa- tion of the Iberian Peninsula in 1943 would involve an in- crease in Germany's total commit- ments, and a depletion of her forces in other theaters, to an extent which would not be acceptable to her. An attempt, subsequently, to launch an offensive against Allied forces in North Africa is considered even more remote. On the con- trary, evidence tends to show that, so far from contemplating operations in the Iberian Penin- sula this year, the Germans are apprehensive of the Allies intentions in that quarter. PROBABLE GERMAN INTENTIONS AS OF APRIL 5, 1943 US 17. To intensify the war of attrition against United Nations' shipping and to seek to destroy the Russian Armed Forces, assure- ing the defensive on all other fronts and retaining, as long as possible, the Tunisian bridge- head. PROBABLE GERMAN INTENTIONS AS OF APRIL 5, 1943 British 17. To intensify the war of attrition against United Nations' shipping; to adopt an active de- fensire strategy in Russia; so far as possible by limited of- fensire actions in Russia, to im- prove her own position and, should she unexpectedly attain -- 21 -- |