b. Disadvantages.
         (1) Is a difficult amphibious operation out of effective 
     tactical range of land based UNITED NATIONS fighter aircraft.
 
         (2) Is impossible to advance into the BALKANS without 
     additional amphibious operations in the.face of strong AXIS 
     opposition.
 
         (3) Does not contribute materially to the collapse of 
     ITALY.
 
         (4) will not seriously dislocate German strategic plans, 
     nor provide any substantial diversion of strength from the 
     Russian front. 
 
     c. Other pertinent remarks.
         A direct assault on the DODECANESE would be an expensive
     operation. Even. though an invasion of EUROPE via the AEGEAN 
     and GREECE were envisaged, the results to be obtained would 
     not be commensurate with the cost. This is true since an 
     invasion of the BALKANS via GREECE could be mounted from 
     SICILY, thus eliminating the necessity of an operation against 
     CRETE and/or the DODECANESE.
 
 
 
 
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