OPTEL No. 21
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 5th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I)
 NAVAL
 
      3rd/4th. Motor torpedo boats and motor gun boats severely damaged 
      a trawler in an attack on several enemy vessels off CAP GRIS 
      NEO; our light craft sustained some damage and a few casualties.
 
      
 
 
A Polish submarine attacked an escorted convoy of three ships 
      on 2lst November off NAVARINO and considers 1 sunk.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. On morning of 3rd, enemy column of tanks and mechanical 
      transport advanced East from GAMBUT towards MENASTIR and SIDI 
      AOEIO and were successfully engaged by one mobile column.
 
      
 
 
Morning 4th. West of MENASTIR 40 Germans were killed, 4 guns 
      captured and a large number of mechanical transport vehicles 
      destroyed.
 
      
 
 
Pressure on enemy centres of resistance in frontier area continues.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      4th. A 2500 ton merchant vessel was attacked by a Hudson off 
      Southern NORWAY and left on fire and sinking,
 
      4th/5th. All operations cancelled.
 
      
 
 
LIBYA
. 2nd. Our fighters destroyed 1 enemy aircraft 
      on ground at BARCE, probably destroyed 20 and damaged a further 
      6.
 
      
 
 
3rd. Though operations were restricted by bad weather, our 
      bombers successfully attacked mechanical transport N.E. of SIDI 
      REOEGH scoring many hits.
 
      
 
 
4th. Petrol and oil lorries were (?set) on fire in SIRTE area 
      and 3 enemy aircraft were damaged on TAMET aerodrome. Report 
      from military source states during fighter sweep in EL ADEM - 
      SIDI REOEGH area we destroyed 13 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 
      7 and damaged 11. 3 of our fighters are missing.
 
      
 
 
CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN.
 4th. Blenheims from MALTA attacked 
      railway sidings at ST. GIOVANNI near REGGIO. A train of 24 petrol 
      wagons was completely burnt out and 2 other fires were started 
      in railway centre. 1 Blenheim is missing.