Copy No. 15
 
      OPTEL No. 38
 
      Following is supplementary resume of operational events covering 
      the period 4th to 11th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      Our submarines, operating against the Axis sea supply route to 
      AFRICA, made a number of successful attacks on shipping. Light 
      naval forces continued to support our military operations in 
      LIBYA. Operations in far eastern waters since the outbreak of 
      war with JAPAN have been fully recorded in the daily summaries. 
      The German main units in the BALTIC were engaged in intensive 
      exercises during the week.
 
      
 
 
Submarines.
 There was a concentration of U-boats in 
      the GIBRALTAR area throughout the week and a smaller number were 
      working in the North-Western approaches, but otherwise there 
      was little activity either in the North or South Atlantic. 15 
      or 16 U-boats are believed to be operating in the MEDITERRANEAN. 
      Our shipping casualties were light, apart from 2 probably 3 ships 
      torpedoed in convoy west of IRELAND, all were due to mines. Shipping 
      losses for November amounted to 100,491 tons, 88,003 tons being 
      British. This total is nearly 100,000 lower than the previous 
      month, and, except for March, 1940, represents the smallest monthly 
      total since the beginning of the war.
 
      
 
 
Trade.
 During the week ending 10th December, 978 ships 
      were convoyed. Imports into the United Kingdom from ships in 
      convoy for the week ending 6th December were 973,000 tons, including 
      276,705 tons of oil imports. Enemy mine-laying by E-boats and 
      aircraft took place off the east coast. 49 mines were accounted 
      for during the period.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. The British forces have now regained the tactical initiative. 
      Except for small parties at HALFAYA and BARDIA, who must sooner 
      or later surrender, the enemy forces are now concentrated West 
      of the line GAOALA-BIR HAKEIM, fighting a rearguard action in 
      the hope of being able to stand on a defensive line further West. 
      The object of the remnants of the 3 enemy armo %ured divisions, 
      who are now probably grouped as one formation, must be to retain 
      sufficient mobility and striking power to inflict casualties 
      as they withdraw. The task of the British forces is to maintain 
      such pressure on the retreating enemy that he cannot reorganize 
      sufficiently to fight effectively.