Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-30
Liberation Of France
From South Proposed
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot.

In examining the possible consequences
of the capitulation of Italy, should such
an event take pace, it is natural that
our thoughts should first turn to the
Balkans, the Aegean Islands and the
Eastern Mediterranean in general. But
there would also be very considerable
results to be felt in the Western Medi-
terranean.
To begin with, Allied possession of
Northern Italy, Corsica and Sardinia
might very we'll open the way for an
invasion of Southern France.
Historically, France has not been sue
cessfully invaded from Italy since the
days of Julius Caesar. The principal
reason for this is the configuration of
the Alpine passes, and of the frontier
terrain in general. The passes tend to
diverge from Italy toward France.
II large army Is trying to force a
passage of the mountains it must move
in several columns, since the number
which can use single pass Is limited,
The columns, by reason of this config-
uration OF the passes, would arrive in
French territory at widely separated
points, out Of supporting distance of
each other and with rough terrain and
poor lateral communications in between.
The mountainous zone on the French
side of the frontier is deep, running
clear back to the valley of the Rhone.
On the other hand, on the Italian
SIDE OF the frontier the mountains shelve
of abruptly into the broad valley of
the Pc and the Plain of Lombardy. This
fact, together with the convenience of
the passes toward Italy, always has IA
cilitated the invasion Of Italy from
France, an event which has frequently
taken place, both in ancient and mod
ern times.
But the strategy possible to modern
combined operations takes less account
or ground and distance than was DOS
slble to Hannibal, Charles VIII. or
Napoleon Indeed the Italian
frontier. extended to include the sea-
coast OF Southern France, seems to af-
lord rather attractive possibilities to
such a landsea-air force as that now
commanded by Gen. Dwight D. Eisen-
mower in the Mediterranean theater.
1t must be remembered that we are
Trying to make the best possible use of
our air and sea superiority to offset the
TACT that the Anglo American French
land forces now available to us in this
part OF the world are numerically in
Terror to those which the Germans could
bring against us on any battlefield which
could be efficiently served by the avail
able German lines of communication.
Our object is, therefore, to bring about
battles by land in areas where the Ger
man communications are insufficient to
enable them to employ their full
strength and thus to present the Ger
mans with the constant alternative of
wasting away their troops in driblets. or
giving us increasing advantages of time
and position against the day when we
shall be able to meet them on more
equal terms.
IunlSla was such battle-ground, and
so Is Sicily. Southern Italy might be
another If the Germans seek to defend
IL and are able to do So But Southern
france, II the whole of Italy, plus Sar-
DINA and Corsica; were lin our hands
might likewise afford us advantaseous
conditions.
we could use our air power effectively
ootn from Northern Italy and from Cor.
slca. Corsica lies within lis miles OF the
french coast, stretch of some 80 miles
OF which Is within effective operating
range OF fighters based on Corsica The
situation OF the German army ATTEMPT
ing to defend the Alpine passes would
De sadly compromised if, at the same
tlme, 1t were necessary to defend the
coastllne against amphibious attack
moreover, our bombing squadrons. oper-
atlng from bases in the Plain of Lom-
oardy, could make the whole of the
German communications in Eastern
france extremely precarious.
Inc land forces we should REQUIRE
would be larger than those at present
oelng employed in Sicily, but we would
still have the advantage of compelling
lhe Germans to come and fight us on a
battle-ground of our own choosing. IN
oer conditions favorable to us and IN.
favorable to them; and we would have
the support Of the French UNDERGROUND
organizations to aid our air force in the
destruction OF the German commune
cations
AN TINS may be an attempt to look
rather lar into the future. Italv has
not yet capitulated. We have not even
concluded the conquest in Sicily. But it
does seem possible that, given the right
conditions, the liberation of France NAV
be commenced in the South rather than
on the Channel Coast, as has been 10
generally anticipated.