-2-
SINGAPORE
. The following reinforcements arrived during
the week. 18th Division (less one
Brigade already arrived). Reinforcements for 9th and llth Indian
Divisions. One light tank
squadron of 17 light tanks and one light anti-aircraft battery,
Indian Army.
FAR EAST
. Events during the week have shown,
(A) the gradual extension of enemy bases south and south-west
in BORNEO and the CELEBES,
making a definite threat against the MALAY barrier.
(B) continued enemy air operations south and south-east from
the BISMARK Archipelago.
(C) definite indications that the Japanese plan to occupy an
aerodrome in THERPALEMBANG
district of SUMATRA. The main intentions of the Japanese appear
to be the reduction of
SINGAPORE, the ending of resistance in the PHILIPPINES, an attack
on BURMA to capture RANGOON,
and the occupation of bases in the NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES to
close the SUNDA STRAITS. There
are indications of imminent enemy action to secure further bases
in the NETHERLANDS EAST
INDIES.
RUSSIA
. Russian progress continues but German resistance
is stiffening particularly on the
central front before MOSC0W where German defensive positions
are believed to be strong and
disposed in great depth. Prom the German point of view the Russian
threat to DNIEPROPETROVSK
is probably the most serious aspect at present but there are
no indications as to how the
situation here is likely to develop in the near future.
3.
AIR OPERATIONS
WESTERN FRONT
. All operations were severely curtailed by
bad weather. Bomber command could
operate on only two nights. Coastal command continued their attacks
on enemy vessels. About
10,5OO tons of shipping is thought to have been hit.
LIBYA
. Heavy attacks on enemy motor transport were made
throughout the period, by our fighters
and bombers by daylight and by bombers at %night. 81 tons of bombs
were dropped in three nights
and on one of them every available aircraft was used.
Enemy activity by day was negligible.
It is estimated that 24,000 tons of enemy shipping in the MEDITERANEAN
was sunk or seriously
damaged during the week, chiefly by naval torpedo aircraft.
MALTA
. Enemy attacks by day and night were constant, the
former being the more severe and
destructive. Enemy bombers on daylight raids were strongly escorted
by fighters and directed
their attacks on our aerodromes, two of which remained water-logged
and umserviceable.