(vi) The retention of a large area of Northern ITALY ensures the continued availability of four Fascist field divisions suitable at least for defensive tasks. Moreover in this way the original Axis, though truncated, remains in being. (vii) Although the airfields behind the Adige Line are more than adequate for the small enemy air forces stationed in ITALY and this force is unlikely to be reinforced to any serious extent the enemy will wish to deny us as long as possible the use of airfields in the PO valley.