c. SCARPANT0.
 
                SCARPANTO, lying some 30 miles southwest or RHODES, is 
30 miles long and has a maximum breadth of 6 miles. Few 
landing beaches exist in the northern three-fourths of the 
island, but several are to be found on the southeast and 
southwest coasts. The only roads are in the southern part 
of the island. There are no ports of importance. The streams 
are dry during the summer. The northern part'of the island 
is arid, but abundant springs and wells can be found in the 
south.
 
     d. Conclusion.                 
                The climatic conditions will have little effect upon 
operations against the DODECANESE. The terrain favors the 
defense.
 
10. Estimate of the enemy forces.           (See Maps, Appendices "A"
and "B")
          a. Air.
           (1) The present AXIS air strength in GREECE, CRETE, and 
the DODECANESE consists of an air force of all types 
numbering approximately 333 planes. (May 4, 1943).
           (2) Under assumption a, it is estimated that an additional 
1329 aircraft of all types could be moved into this 
area. This includes AXIS reinforcement from the central 
MEDITERRANEAN only.
           (3) The airdromes in GREECE, CRETE, and the DODECANESE 
will support any Force the AXIS can deploy. The size of 
the Force that will actually be employed will depend upon 
the importance the AXIS attaches to the DODECANESE. 
 
     b. Ground.
                It is estimated that the Italians have 35,000 men on 
RHODES, comprising one infantry division, reinforced, and 
coast defense units, and 3,000 men on SCARPANTO. In the 
remainder of the DODECANESE there is one infantry division
 
                                           - 5 -