impede our follow-up by demolitions, scorched-earth and the skilful use of topographical features to cause delay. On the other hand I feel that he might elect to make such a withdrawal for strategic rather than tactical reasons if, as OVERLORD develops into a major continental action, he feels that a reduction of his Italian commitments is essential in order to release divisions for the West. To fall back to the PISA RIMINI line would result in an economy of from 4 6 divisions. To go further and abandon Upper ITALY except for the Passes and the Line of the PIAVE would save some 10 12 divisions.