Heel of Italy

                                           BRIEF
 
                                             OF
 
OUTLINE PLAN FOR THE SEIZURE OF THE HEEL OF ITALY
 
             Report by  the Joint  War Plans Committee
 
1. An outline plan for the seizure of the Heel of ITALY is con-
 tained in Enclosure "A."
 
2. The concept of the operation (see chart, Appendix "A" to
 Enclosure "A") is briefly stated below.
 
   a. To conduct an air offensive from SICILY and TUNISIA in
order to reduce all airdromes south of the TARANTO-
CASTELLABATE line. Simultaneously to conduct commando raids
along the MEDITERRANEAN coast of ITALY.
 
  b. To gain beachheads in the TARANT0 and GALLIPOLI regions
of the Heel by means of amphibious operations under limited 
carrier-borne fighter cover.
 
  c. To extend the bridgehead, seize airfields in those areas
 and establish land-based Support aviation.
 
  d. Capture and occupy TARANTO and the BARI - METAPONTO line.
 
3. Major forces required.
-----------------------------
a. Ground.
------------
 6 Infantry Divisions; I Armored Division; I Airborne
 Division; I MotorizedDivision; and 1 Parachute Brigade
 (2 Regiments).
 
 b. Air.
--------
  6 Fighter Groups; 8 Bomber Groups; 9 Troop, Carrier
 Groups; and I Observation Group.       
 
 c. Naval.
-------------
 3 BB, 3 CV, 2 ACV, l0 CA & CL,  20 DD, 15 SS.
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