Morale of Italian Troops in N.E. Italy, Balkans, Greece and Aegean. Report by J.I.C.

4. In North-east Italy there has, according to a recent and fairly reliable report, been guerilla* activity up to the suburbs of Trieste. The inhabitants of the town wore said to be favourably disposed towards the guerillas. 5. Our experience in Sicily has more than confirmed our earlier view of the low morale of the Italian Army, of their antagonism towards the Germans and of their eagerness to get out of the war. 6. The approaches now reported to have been made from Italian commanders in North-east Italy, the Balkans, Greece and the Aegean, originate from areas so widespread as to suggest that they are spontaneous and not concerted, and the other evidence we have of the morale of the Italian troops suggests that the offers are genuine.