3 ANNEX APPRECIATION. Germany's Problem. In 1940 and 1941 Germany had almost complete initiative in the selection of theatres for offensive action. This phase has now passed. Her main problem now must be the balancing of risks; the risk of Russia being able in the summer to resume her last winter's offensive; the risk of Allied attacks in the Mediterranean theatres; the risk of a "second front"; the risk of a German offensive in Russia, or even elsewhere, resulting once again in failure, and in the German war machine ending still weaker than if no such offensive had been launched; the risk of R.A.F.