8. To safeguard as long as possible vital supplies of chrome, copper and other war materials from YUGOSLAVIA and ALBANIA and in order to cover any movement from GREECE, the Germans might attempt to hold a delaying position on the general line TURNUL SEVERIN (the "IRON GATES") STRUMA River SALONIKA. 9. Forces to hold these lines would have to be found from the 21 divisions now in S.E. EUROPE and not engaged with the Russians, or from other theatres. 10. So long as they retain in GREECE and YUGOSLAVIA, they would still be able to provide effective air opposition to small-scale Allied landings and some second line aircraft for use against the Partisans.