Two Infantry Divisions (Each of two Inf. Regts. and
             one Blackshirt Legion)
     Two Coastal Divisions
     One Separate Infantry Battalion
     One Sardinian Cav. Regiment
     Twelve Bns. Fascist Militia, including three tank
             bns.
     Three Bersaglieri (cyclist) Bns.
 
          (2) Fixed defenses include coast defense and antiair-
craft artillery at all main ports. Controlled minefields 
and anti-submarine nets exist at CAGLIARI and MADDALENA 
and possibly at other ports. For map see Appendix "J"*
 
     (3) Capabilities for reinforcement of ground forces. 
Reinforcement would normally be by sea from 
CORSICA, from ITALY (where there are now 12 Italian 
Infantry Divisions) or - for personnel with light 
equipment - by air transport. Subject to demand 
for troops for other theaters, particularly for 
ITALY proper, the garrison could probably be increased 
by one division from CORSICA in one week, and 
by 2 additional divisions from ITALY in about six 
weeks. Attempts at reinforcement by sea would be 
vulnerable to bombing of both the embarkation and 
debarkation ports.
 
          (4) The effectiveness of Italian troops defending 
SARDINIA should be assessed higher than that of those 
in NORTH AFRICA in view of the fact that they will be 
fighting for their own homeland. 
 
b. Air forces.
     (1) The most recent estimate (May 3, 1943) of AXIS
air strength in the MEDITERRANEAN area is: German 1164; 
Italian 1425; total 2589 planes. It is probable that, 
due to losses in the battles of TUNISIA and SICILY, AXIS air
forces presently available to oppose our landings may 
be reduced by 500 to 1000 aircraft.
 
 
 
                                         -6-
 
 
 
DECLASSIFIED
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