16. G. N. Esnouf: “Indeed these two matters, of an approach to buy off Italy and one to induce Mussolini to mediate with Hitler, were closely linked despite their separate motives and ramifications. Because of this, the Cabinet discussions of both matters were often intertwined, so that it is not always clear from the minutes which proposal is being referred to. Yet to distinguish between them is crucial. Buying off Italy facilitated the war against Germany, Italian mediation meant its end, such was the enormity of the discussions of 26 to 28 May” (“British Government War Aims and Attitudes,” 223).

17. Cadogan, Diaries, 290.