from France, five divisions from Italy and one division from the Balkans. These divisions have now been blunted by unsuccessful counter attacks in the Dnieper bend and the Russian winter offensive has only just begun. The Germans are therefore fully stretched in Russia and cannot afford to release any forces from that theatre for a move against Turkey. Italy 3. In Italy the Allied superiority in land and air forces should preclude any withdrawal of troops from Central Italy, while the troops in North Italy are still fully engaged with problems of internal security and of guarding the long Italian coastline.