9. Geographic Estimate. (Appendix "C" - omitted*)
 
     a. The terrain is generally mountainous with the excep
tion of theCAMPIDANO PLAIN running northwest from CAGLIARI. 
The Island is but lightly wooded, and there are no major 
river obstacles. (Appendices "D" & "E" - omitted*)
          b. The coast provides only a limited number of landing
beaches, of which the most extensive are near CAGLIARI; in 
the GULF OF ORISTANO at the northwest end of the CAMPIDANO 
PLAIN; in the GULF OF ASINARA in the northwest of the Island, 
and in the vicinity of SAN ANTIOCO. Surf conditions may 
be severe at all beaches except those in the GULF OF ORISTAN0, 
and usually there is an awkward subsidiary obstacle immediately 
behind the beaches in the form of salt lakes and lagoons. 
For detail of beaches, see Appendix "F" - omitted*,
     c. Once an invasion force has secured a footing inland, 
there are no major natural obstacles; the few extensive 
landing beaches are, however, well protected by minefields 
and fixed defenses, so that the assault is likely to be an 
expensive operation in personnel and material.
     d. There are no climatic-limitations on the date of
any operations, except that prevailing easterly winds are 
likely to make surf conditions on the east coast impossibly 
severe between March and October.
     e. SARDINIA possesses valuable economic resources in 
agricultural produce and minerals. (Appendix "E" - omitted*) 
The most important of the latter is zinc, the supply of 
which is of vital importance to ITALY.
 
10. Military estimate. (Appendix "G" - omitted*, except Annex 
                                     "A" to Appendix "G")
 
     a. Ground forces.
 
         (1) The last intelligence estimate (May 3, 1943) of
           forces (all Italian) in SARDINIA was:
 
* Appendices marked "omitted" are available in the office of 
the Secretariat.
 
 
 
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