of an intention to strengthen the air forces and widen the scope of operations in that area. It is believed that this move was planned over two months ago and that accordingly our attack in Libya was not the primary motive, although the German High Command must have contemplated an intensification of activity in this area during the winter. It is significant that the Headquarters of Luftflotte 2 are to be located at Rome and that the Air Command in this area is to be strengthened in this way. This may be intended both to strengthen the German hold over Italy and to increase German control of the Western Mediterranean by operating from France and Italy, possibly even Spain, into French North Africa.