Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, The Conferences at Cairo and Tehran, 1943

J. C. S. Files

Memorandwn by the United States Chiefs of Staff

secret
C. C. S. 320/4 (Revised)

[Cairo,] 4 December 1943.

Operation “Rankin”

Reference: C.C.S. 320 Series

1. In developing his plans for Rankin, COSSAC has submitted a recommendation (paragraph 11, C. C. S. 320/2)¹ that under the general direction of the Supreme Allied Commander the territories to be occupied should be divided into two spheres, the British sphere, including northwest Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Denmark, and the U. S. sphere, generally southern Germany and France, with Austria a U. S. sphere, initially under the Mediterranean command. It is understood that planning by COSSAC is now proceeding on this basis.

2. The United States Chiefs of Staff now propose that these spheres be changed as follows:

a. U. S. sphere. The general area Netherlands, Northern Germany as far east as the line Berlin-Stettin, Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The boundary of this area is to be as follows: Southern boundary of the Netherlands; thence to Duesseldorf on the Rhine; down the east bank of the Rhine to Mains [Mainz]; thence due east to Beyreuth [Bayreuth]; thence north to Leipzig; thence northeast to Cottbus; thence north to Berlin (exclusive); thence to Stettin (inclusive).

b. British sphere. Generally the territory to the west and south of the American western boundary.

3. The United States Chiefs of Staff further propose that COSSAC be directed to examine and report on the implications of revising his planning on the basis of the new allocation of spheres of occupation.

1. Not printed herein.