'Alarich' was the German planning version of 'Achse' (ii) concentrating on the seizure of key locations and installations in northern Italy in the event of an Italian defection from the Axis cause (summer 1943).

Created in accordance with Adolf Hitler’s Führerweisung Nr 49 of 31 July, 'Alarich' was renamed 'Achse' (ii) on 8 August 1943 and included in its provisions the movement into northern Italy of additional German forces to create Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel’s Heeresgruppe 'B'.