OPTEL No. 22.
 
      Begins: - (Information received up to 0700 6th December).
 
      
 
 
(i) 
NAVAL.
 
      1 of H.M. Armed Boarding Vessels has been damaged or sunk between 
      Alexandria and Tobruk. Several survivors have been rescued. 33 
      survivors from a medium sized British Merchant Vessel were landed 
      at Madeira on 4th. The ship was in a Southbound Atlantic convoy 
      and was torpedoed on 30th November South South East of Azores. 
      17 of crew are missing.
 
      
 
 
(ii) 
MILITARY.
 
      Libya.
 
      4th. On morning of 4th enemy attacked El Duda from West and South 
      East and from area of Bir El Hamed and were repulsed with heavy 
      casualties. This attack was renewed in the afternoon by enemy 
      infantry supported by a heavy bombardment and enemy succeeded 
      in gaining a footing. Counter attack, supported by "I" 
      tanks, retook some of the ground and a night operation, staged 
      to recover 15 of our (? disabled) tanks, restored the whole position.
 
      Same afternoon one of our armoured brigades and an Indian brigade 
      in an attack on El Gobi destroyed 15 tanks of Ariete Division 
      and 150 M.T.: 400 Italian prisoners, 2 medium batteries and 5 
      anti tank guns were captured. 55000 gallons of enemy fuel was 
      destroyed and 55 supply lorries and much ammunition taken.
 
      
 
 
An enemy column of 30 tanks and 300 M.T. probably of 15th 
      German Armoured Division, moving Eastwards along Trigh-Capuzzo 
      was engaged by 1 of our mobile columns.
 
      
 
 
Further report of New Oealand action West of Menastir gives 
      100 Germans killed, 100 prisoners, mostly Italian, taken and 
      2 tanks knocked out. Our casualties were 9 wounded.
 
      
 
 
Total prisoners in Tobruk are now 53 officers and about 2,500 
      other ranks, approximately 40 percent Germans.
 
      Indian troops in their recent operations in Sidi Omar area captured 
      59 guns of all types.
 
      
 
 
Russia.
 
      Moscow Sector. German forces have made a slight local advance 
      near Klin.
 
      
 
 
Central Sector. Between Tula and Kursk the Germans have made 
      som %e progress towards Yelets.