Original sentence: In early September, the German Army had sent a strong force into San Marino to defend it against the Allies; this would also give them control of one of the major roads in the area, and allow artillery observers to occupy the mountain peaks
Edited sentence: In early September, the German Army had sent a strong force into San Marino to "defend" it against the Allies; this would also give them control of one of the major roads in the area, and allow artillery observers to occupy the mountain peaks