MOST IMMEDIATE
 
          FROM: Mideast
          TO:   War Office rptd British Army Staff,
                                 Washington.
 
No: C.S./744    18th Feb.
       Cairo, 18th February, situation review.
 
 
 
     Private for Field Marshal Sir John Dill, from General Auchinleck. 
1.  15 Feb enemy moved forward German Afrika Corps of 15 and 21 Armoured and part 90 Light
Divisions on North in area Martuba Tmimi Temrad and Italian Mobile Corps of Ariete and Trieste
(believed to have absorbed Trento) Divisions to South round Mechili.
2.   Enemy advanced on broad front in relatively small columns each comprising some tanks
lorried infantry and artillery.  Generally enemy columns withdrew when engaged by our fighting
patrols and mobile colums which have been most active and successful in keeping close touch eith
enemy movements throughout but on 14 Feb they pushed forward and shelled at long range our
forward troops in Northern sector Gazala position without effect.
3.  Enemy air forces were also active divebombing and machinegunning our forward troops and
also attacking rear installations particualarly TOBRUK port and El Adem aerodrome.  Our Air
Force scored signal success against them and on 14 Feb out of formation 30, 20 enemy aircraft
destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 10 damaged mostly Italian.  Enemy is using DERNA and
MARTUBA as forward landing grounds.
4.  On 15 Feb enemy forward troops withdrew from TEMRAD area apparently North West into
GEBEL AKDAR while Italians retired to MECHILI whence considerable south west movement
observed by air reconaissance.  This movement continued 17 Feb and by evening country south of
line GAZALA MECHILI was reported by ground reconnaissance clear of enemy through
MECHILI seemed held in some strength.  Afternoon 17 Feb South African armoured cars
reported NO enemy seen track TMIMI MECHILI.  Enemy air force inactive yesterday possibly
due to bad weather.