Italy. Collapse In: Policy in Event Of: Note by Secy. Covering J.P.(40)715(S) in which Joint Planning Staff Invite the Joint Intelligence Sub-Committee to Give Their Views as Regards Certain Specific Questions and Preliminary Draft Prepared by Joint Planning Staff to Serve as a First Report to C.O.S.

(e) Are we likely to obtain sufficient warning of coming events in Italy to make use of them to our advantage, i.e. by establishing another leader or another regime to replace Mussolini, securing a separate peace, etc? 6. What action is Germany likely to take in Italy if a general deterioration and possible collapse appears imminent:(a) Is Germany likely to force on Mussolini a greater measure of control and assistance in anticipation of an Italian collapse. If so, how and to what extent would she do this? Are German forces now being disposed for this purpose? (b) If the Italian collapse preceded the incursion of any large numbers of German forces how would this affect German action? Could Germany establish large forces in Italy, Sicily or Libya if chaos existed in Italy? (c) What action would Germany be likely to take in Albania and the Adriatic generally? 7.