Where every step is fraught with grave consequences and with real peril to the cause, deliberate and measured action is not merely prudent, but decent.

With Russia smashed, Britain's last hope would be shattered. Germany will then be master of Europe and the Balkans.

The Government of Italy has now chosen to preserve what it terms its 'freedom of action' and to fulfill what it states are its promises to Germany.

In some circumstances the success of the military operation may be prejudiced by our reluctance to destroy these revered objects. Then, as at Cassino, where the enemy relied on our emotional attachments to shield his defense, the lives of our men are paramount. So, where military necessity dictates, commanders may order the required action even though it involves destruction to some honored site.

I had hoped that we were hurling a wild cat on to the shore, but all we got was a stranded whale.

We have come to the conclusion that this particular method of warning [church bells] was redundant and not in itself well adapted to the present conditions of war. For myself, I cannot help feeling that anything like a serious invasion would be bound to leak out.