61 STAT.] ITALY-ARMISTICE AND SURRENDER Sept. 3 , 23, 29 , 1943 2767 Nov. 9 , 17, 1943 the employment of the Italian Fleet or Merchant Navy, their disposition and related matters. (E) It should be clearly understood that the extent to which the Modification of terms of the armistice are modified to allow of the arrange- ments outlined above and which follow, are dependent upon the extent and effectiveness of Italian co-operation. 2. Method of Operation. The Commander-in-Chief, Mediter- ranean will place at the disposal of the Italian Ministry of Marine a high ranking Naval officer with the appropriate staff who will be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, for all mat- ters in connection with the operation of the Italian Fleet, and be the medium through which dealings will be carried out in connection with the Italian Mercantile Marine. The Flag Officer acting for these duties (Flag Officer Liaison), will keep the Italian Ministry of Marine informed of the requirements of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediter- ranean, and will act in close co-operation as regards issue of all orders to the Italian Fleet. 3. Proposeddispositionof the Italian Fleet. (a) All battleships will be placed on a care and maintenance basis Battleships. in ports to be designated and will have such measures of disarm- ament applied as may be directed. These measures of dis- armament will be such that the ships can be brought into opera- tion again if it so seems desirable. Each ship will have on board a proportion of Italian Naval personnel to keep the ships in proper condition and the Commander-in-Chief, Mediter- ranean, will have the right of inspection at any time. (b) Cruisers. Such cruisers as can be of immediate assistance will be kept in commission. At present it is visualised that one squadron of four cruisers will sutlice and the remainder will be kept in care and maintenance as for the battleships but at a rather greater degree of readiness to be brought into service if required. (c) Destroyers and Torpedo Boats. It is proposed to keep these in commission and to use them on escort and similar duties as may be requisite. It is proposed that they should be divided into escort groups working as units and that they should be based on Italian ports. (d) Small Craft. M. A . S., Minesweepers, auxiliaries and similar small craft will be employed to the full, detailed arrangements being made with the Flag Officer (Liaison) by the Italian Ministry of Marine for their best employment. (e) Submarines. In the first instance submarines will be immobil- ised in ports to be designated and at a later date these may be brought into service as may be required to assist the Allied effort.
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