Enemy Rail Requirements at the Time of "Overlord". Note by Sec.

ANNEX ACASI/114/44 SECRETARY OF THE J.I.C. The Deputy Supreme Allied Commander has asked for information to enable a decision to be made as to the best means of employing the Strategic Bomber Forces before OVERLORD in order to give the maximum assistance to OVERLORD from D day onwards. 2. The J.I.C. is therefore requested to examine and report as a matter of the greatest urgency on the following points: time D day onwards. (i) What will be the essential amount of rail traffic necessary to maintain the present enemy forces in France (other than Southern France), Belgium and Holland? (ii) What will be the rail requirements necessary to move any anticipated reinforcements into Northern France? (iii) What will be the rail requirements necessary to maintain the economic life of France at the lowest level to which the Germans can afford to permit it to fall? (a) in the critical period from D day to D + 5 weeks.