Memorandum by the USCS
Quebec, 13 September 1944
Top secret
CCS 677/1
Future operations in the Mediterranean
Reference: CCS 172nd Meeting, Item 5c.
The United States Chiefs of Staff have considered the draft message to General Wilson proposed by the British Chiefs of Staff (Enclosure “A”) in connection with item 5c, CCS 172nd Meeting, and recommend that the Combined Chiefs of Staff dispatch the message attached as Enclosure “B” to SACMed in lieu of Enclosure “A.”
Enclosure “A”
Draft telegram to General Wilson proposed by the British CS pursuant to Item 5c, CCS 172nd Meeting
The Combined Chiefs of Staff took note of your Naf 774 this morning.
The following decisions are sent for your information and guidance in future planning:
a) There will be no withdrawals from the Fifth U.S. Army, at any rate until the success of General Alexander’s operations is ensured.
b) For the capture of the Istrian Peninsula you may count on having the amphibious lift now in the Mediterranean. You should prepare plans for carrying out this operation as soon as possible. You should submit this plan to Combined Chiefs of Staff at the earliest date, and, in any event, not later than 15 October.
Enclosure “B”
Draft telegram to General Wilson proposed by the USCS in connection with Item 5c, CCS 172nd Meeting
The Combined Chiefs of Staff took note of your Naf 774 this morning.
The following decisions are sent for your information and guidance in future planning:
(a) There will be no withdrawals of major units from the Fifth U.S. Army until the outcome of the present Italian offensive is known.
(b) For planning the capture of the Istrian Peninsula, you may count on having the amphibious lift now in the Mediterranean. You should submit this plan to Combined Chiefs of Staff at the earliest date, and, in any event, not later than 10 October.