Copy No. 11
 
      OPTEL No. 51
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 26th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I)
 NAVAL
 
      Report from HAIFA states that on 25th a British 6,000 ton tanker 
      was on fire and a Norwegian 7,000 ton Tanker had been severely 
      damaged by fire. No further details but thought the result of 
      air attack. A naval anti-submarine vessel was destroyed by enemy 
      aircraft at PENANG on the 12th. Two medium sized British merchant 
      vessels and one of smaller tonnage have been mined off the east 
      coast. The two former have sunk.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. Pockets of enemy troops still remain and are showing fight 
      in the area north east of BENGHAOI. BARCE aerodrome is not yet 
      considered safe from ground attack. On the 24th enemy columns 
      of M.T., armoured cars and some tanks were attacked by our mixed 
      columns in the GHEMINES-BEDA-FOMM area. The enemy is still showing 
      signs of life in the JEDABYA area and will undoubtedly do his 
      best to avoid being cut off. The pursuit is being maintained.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA
. Enemy troops have reached KJALA TRENGGANJ on 
      the east coast.
 
      RUSSIA. The enemy attack on SEVASTOPOL is continuing.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WESTERN FRONT. 25th/26th. Thirty-nine enemy aircraft were operating 
      mainly in the THAMES ESTUARY.
 
      MEDITERRANEAN. 23rd/24th. Seventeen Wellingtons bombed the landing 
      ground at EL AGHEILA and another one in the vicinity starting 
      fires. One hundred enemy aircraft were found destroyed on BERCA 
      landing ground.
 
      
 
 
24th. Our fighters attacked M.T. and troops in the EL AGHEILA 
      area. Many vehicles were destroyed or damaged and casualties 
      inflicted on troops. Three Blenheims attacked a large schooner 
      in OOUARA Harbour, probably damaging it below the water line. 
      Enemy aircraft dropped twelve mines on BENGHAOI eleven of which 
      fell outside the harbour.
 
      24th/25th. Nine Wellingtons bombed TRIPOLI Harbour and also a 
      Cruiser and three Destroyers ten miles outside steering a N.N.Wly. 
      cour %se. Six naval aircraft also laid mines. Three enemy aircraft 
      were over MALTA for eight and half hours. No damage was caused.
 
      
 
 
(IV) A Japanese division probably from SIAM is reported to 
      be concentrating in the KRA Isthmus on the railway between PRACHUAB, 
      KHIRIKUN and CHUMPORN.