The Allies backed the plan (FDR and WSC) in the Second Quebec Conference of November 1944 with intention of preventing Germany once again to rearm by establishing Germany as a primarily agricultural and pastoral country in character with no heavy industries.However FDR had second thoughts and there was no chance that Morgenthau's advice would be taken as policy for a month later the proposal was scrubbed.The Morgenthau Plan,I would think would have run counter to the Allies policy of the establishment of democracy in Germany after the defeat of the Third Reich. Still Hitler made it a rallying call to all Germans that this policy would seal the fate of all Germans and to avoid the penalties of the plan,they should fight to the end. Whether it raised the motivation of the Germans to resist is a different matter in the totalitarian regime, although I think for ardent members of the NSDAP,it would have been well received.
By September 1944 many soldiers in Italy thought that the war could well be over by Christmas 1944. They were preparing to advance towards the Gothic Line. On their left were the Americans who under the orders of Gen Mark Clarke were in a race to the Po Valley before the winter set in. Florence, Aug 24th 1944. Lt Bill Beadle Next time maybe I’ll be able to rhapsodise on the Lombardy Plain and shortly afterwards, the Tyrol. And then I hope, a swift passage through France and back to a spot of English scenery again! It may be only a foolish thought but I think my wanderlust will be pretty well on its last legs by that time! And that will be all for now. He was killed my landmine four days later on a reconnaissance mission to survey new positions for the Regiments guns.
