OPTEL 10
 
      30 November, 1941
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      A British submarine attacked an enemy force of cruisers and destroyers 
      yesterday afternoon 70 miles South of TARANTO and claims three 
      hits.
 
      
 
 
In E-Boat attack reported yesterday a British 3,000 ton merchant 
      vessel and a (?700 ton) tanker were sunk. E-boats again attacked 
      a convoy off CROMER early on 30th and sank another small British 
      merchant ship.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. After tank battle near SIDI REOEGH (see OPTEL No. 9) the 
      enemy withdrew eastwards. There are no reports of tank (?casualties) 
      in this engagement on either side but 10 German officers and 
      600 other ranks were captured. The Commander of 21st German armoured 
      division, General Ravenstein, was also taken prisoner by New 
      Oealand division.
 
      So far 1,250 German prisoners including 51 officers and 1,600 
      Italians including 51 officers have reached ALEXANDRIA. A further 
      1,200 prisoners mostly Italians are at MERSA MATRUH.
 
      
 
 
RUSSIA
. In TULA area a German thrust is in progress 
      North eastward towards MOSCOW-RYAOAN railway. Strong Russian 
      resistance is continuing in ROSTOV area where ROSTOV itself has 
      been retaken.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      29th. Two Hudsons bombed two small merchant vessels off Dutch 
      coast; one ship was badly damaged and possibly destroyed.
 
      
 
 
29th/30th. All offensive operations cancelled.
 
      
 
 
LIBYA.
 27th/28th. 15 Wellingtons bombed DERNA aerodrome; 
      several aircraft on ground were set on fire and others damaged. 
      Four other Wellingtons scored hits on several motor vehicles 
      on road near APOLLONIA.
 
      
 
 
28th. Five squadrons of Blenheims and Marylands attacked with 
      good results M.T. near MARTURA and APOLLONIA and on BARDIA - 
      TOBRUK and EL GAOALA - BARCE roads. At EL GAOALA one large enemy 
      aircraft on ground was destroyed and two damaged.
 
      
 
 
Fighter squadrons carried out several sweeps over battle area; 
      only one enemy aircraft, a ME. 110, was seen and th %is was shot 
      down by Hurricanes which also machine-gunned about 20 motor vehicles. 
      During these operations we lost four Blenheims and four Hurricanes. 
      Severe enemy anti-aircraft fire was met.