Dodecanese and Crete

Declassified
JCS memo, 1-4-74
By RHP, NLR, Date FEB 19 1914
 
d. Climate.
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          The climate of the DODECANESE and CRETE is Mediterranean,
 
 being characterized by mild intermittently rainy winters and
 
 hot dry summers. Visibility is good as a rule, and fog is
 
rare. The terrain generally favors the defense.
 
The best wind and surf conditions prevail in the autumn.
 
10. Estimate of enemy forces. (SeeCharts, Appendices "A" and "B")
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a. Air.
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(1) The present AXIS air strength in GREECE, CRETE,
 
and the DODECANESE comprises 333 planes of all types.
 
(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 area.
 
      (4) It must be assumed that the AXIS will, if possible,
 
 divert the necessary aircraft from other theaters to
 
 replace losses 'sustained in the DODECANESE operation.
 
 b. Ground.
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 (1) DODECANESE.                                                                   .
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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 SCARPANT0. In
 
 the remainder of the DODECANESE there is one infantry 
 
division plus a regiment and miscellaneous units. The 
 
total Italian forces in the DODECANESE comprises some
 
50,000 men. I't is not believed that there will be any
 
material strengthening of the larger garrisons beyond the
 
 concentration of troops now scattered on smaller islands.
 
                                       -5-
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