APPENDIX "A" DISCUSSION 4. General strategic situation. Germany's over-all situation continues to deteriorate, but there is no evidence of any break in the discipline and will to fight of the German armed forces. Germany's military situation during the period under consideration (i.e., the period prior to mid-April+) will depend primarily on the progress of operations on the Eastern Front and on the progress of the Combined Bomber Offensive. On the Eastern Front the spring thaw will restrict military operations for a period of perhaps two months.