Post by Diarist on Feb 10, 2016 11:16:21 GMT 1
At his twice daily conference at the Wehrmachtamt Admiral Canaris had little positive to report about the Italian forces in North Africa. The offensive into Egypt had not only failed but had turned into a disaster with substantial losses in men and material. The British and French clearly held the initiative. With the exception of Leros, Italian forces in the Aegean Sea had already surrendered to Greek and British forces.
In NW Italy the advance on Torino from the west and south continues but French forces would soon be meeting Italian reinforcements from other regions within the Kingdom. A stalemate was a distinct possibility unless the French were willing to commit more forces. The real damage however was from the aircraft-carriers and battleships attacking a multitude of military and economic targets all over Italy. Land-based bombers were also taking their toll and there are reports of British bombers being transferred from the North African theatre to mainland Greece. Bases on Sardinia and Sicily have been targeted again.
In NW Italy the advance on Torino from the west and south continues but French forces would soon be meeting Italian reinforcements from other regions within the Kingdom. A stalemate was a distinct possibility unless the French were willing to commit more forces. The real damage however was from the aircraft-carriers and battleships attacking a multitude of military and economic targets all over Italy. Land-based bombers were also taking their toll and there are reports of British bombers being transferred from the North African theatre to mainland Greece. Bases on Sardinia and Sicily have been targeted again.