Hitler's orders, released on 24th July, had referred to an invasion of Germany whether from the east or from the west or in any other theatre of war. The other theatre was in the south; and indeed, by now, invasion from the south seemed almost as likely. For in Italy, too, after the failure at Anzio, General Alexander had prepared a great summer offensive which began on 11th May. A week later, Cassino at last fell to the Polish Corps, and thereafter, though stubbornly resisted, the advance was general. On 4th June the Allies entered Rome, and although their forces in Italy were weakened, a month later, by the diversion of seven divisions for a landing on the Mediterranean coast of France, by the end of July they were established on the line of the Arno River in the west and held Ancona in the east. The Germans held a long prepared position, known as the Gothic Line, across Italy north of Pisa and Florence to Pesaro. But they could not be sure of holding it, and Hitler now ordered the preparation of another line, the Voralpenstellung, in the foothills of the Alps. The following series of teleprints was sent to the Commander In Chief Southwest (Field Marshal Kesselring), the High Commissioners For Operational Areas In The Alpine Approaches And On The Adriatic Coast (District Leaders Hofer and Rainer), and others concerned.