b_. The maintenance of essentia:~ communications.
 
.c. Closing and tightening the ring around ~ Germany.
 
        d_. Wearing down and undermining German resistance by air bombardment, blockade, subversive activ, ities and propaganda.
 
e. The continuous d~velopment of offensive action against Germany.
 
        f. Maintaining only such positions in the Eastern theatre as will safeguard'vital interests (see paragraph 18) and denying to Japan access to raw materials 'vital to 'her continuous war effort while we are concentrating on the defeat of Germany.
 
     III. STEPS TO BE TAKEN IN 1942 TO PUT INTO EFFECT THE
ABOVE GENERAL POLICY.
 
THE SECURITY              OF AREAS OF WAR PRODUCTION
 
         5         In   so far as these are likely to be attacked~ the main areas of
war indus try             are situated in'-
 
                    a. The United Kingdom.
 
Continental United States, particularly the West Coast.
 
                    c. Russia.
 
        6. THE UNITED KINGDOM. - To safeguard the United Kingdom it will be
    necessary to maintain at all times the minimum forces required to defeat invasion.
 
        7. THE UNITED STATES. - The main centers of production on or near the :West Coast of United States must be protected from Japanese sea.,borne attack. This will be facilitated by holding ttawaii and Alaska. We con-
    sider that a Japanese invasion of the United States on a large scale is highly improbable, whether 'Hawaii or Alaska is held or not,~
 
        8.    The probable scale of attack and the general nature of tile forces
    required for the defense of the United Sta'tes are matters for the United States Chiefs of Staff to assess.
 
        9.    RUSSIA. - It will be essential to afford the Russians assistance to enable them to maintain their 'hold on Leningrad, Moscow, and the oilfields of the Caucasus, and to continue their war effort.
 
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