The surrender of the remaining German forces in Italy came into effect on 2 May 1945, five days before Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of all German armed forces. This concluded the Allies’ war in the Mediterranean theatre, and post-war efforts transitioned to stabilisation, reconstruction and the construction of a bulwark against Soviet encroachment into the Balkans.1 This was approached through a variety of political, military and economic means. A new alliance was soon forged in the form of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which saw the Mediterranean as its southern flank and a scene of increasing focus for the previously Mediterranean-sceptic Americans.