Copy No. 11
 
      OPTEL No. 35
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 14 December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      A British destroyer was disabled by bombs west of MILFORD HAVEN 
      and has been towed to port. 18 fatal casualties. A British submarine 
      has sunk an enemy merchant vessel east of NORTH CAPE. Further 
      information regarding the action off CAPE BON shows that two 
      cruisers and one torpedo boat were sunk and torpedo boat badly 
      damaged by 3 British destroyers and a Dutch destroyer. A British 
      submarine reports having attacked two large unidentified ships 
      and a destroyer South of TARANTO. Four hits were obtained.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA.
 12th. A Dutch submarine sank four laden Japanese 
      troop ships off PATANI. A naval auxiliary minesweeper has failed 
      to return from the East coast of MALAYA and is considered lost. 
      A small British tanker was torpedoed yesterday west of ALEXANDRIA 
      but is returning to port under her own power.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. 
11th. The enemy strong-point between SOLLUM and SIDI 
      OMAR was occupied without resistance and much equipment captured.
 
      
 
 
12th. The enemy endeavouring to cover his withdrawal was still 
      holding GAOALA. He was being contained by our troops who engaged 
      his tanks, apparently with good results, South-West and South 
      of GAOALA, capturing prisoners and guns. The remains of the Italian 
      Ariete Division are some thirty miles South of EL TMIMI and are 
      being engaged by our troops. During the 11th and 12th four enemy 
      aircraft were shot down by our ground defences.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA
. No further report received. A Japanese convoy 
      large enough to be carrying two to three Divisions was reported 
      on 12th December steaming South-South-West off CAMBODIA POINT.
 
      
 
 
HONG KONG.
 12th. Withdrawal from KOWLOON carefully 
      prepared and begun at dusk 11th, has been carried out with some 
      difficulty owing to constant pressure by superior numbers. Field 
      and Medium Howitzers evacuated without loss. Much M.T., all Carriers 
      and all armoure %d cars evacuated. Scale of enemy air raids has 
      increased during last 24 hours. Continuous shelling of Island 
      represents a nuisance value only counter battery and harassing 
      fire by our coast defence guns landwards reported effective.