Availability of German Forces for the Occupation of Italy and the Balkans. Note by Secretary

First Stage 3. In the first stage the Germans will endeavour to keep Italy in the war by moving in German garrisons to the extent of some 5-8 divisions of which possibly 2-3 might be stationed in Sardinia and Sicily. The importance of preventing the Italians from collapsing is likely to compel the Germans to provide these forces which might consist in whole or in part of divisions drawn from France (including training divisions) and training divisions from Germany. In the present circumstances on the Russian front it is unlikely that any German divisions could be withdrawn from there.