MOST SECRET From: F.P.S. TO: The Secretary, J.I.C. REF: M/159 Date: 12th June 1942 Strategic Background 1. The United Nations, having seen that the fall of Russia is inevitable and having decided that it is impracticable to return to the Continent during: 1942 or 1943, have decided to take SARDINIA and PANTELLARIA in conjunction with a push from the east in CYRENAICA: the object being to open the MEDITERRANEAN, make Rommel's position more difficult, threaten ITALY and try to get an invitation from the French to so into NORTH AFRICA.