OPTEL. NO. 5                        
                                                            
                                                            
                  SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New">.            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Information received up 
                   to 7 A.M. 5th January, 1942.             
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            1.                              
                           NAVAL.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
During an air raid on Malta 
      on the evening of the 4th, two of H.M. destroyers suffered damage 
      from bomb splinters, which will keep them out of action for a 
           few days. There were also a few casualties.      
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            2.                              
                         MILITARY.                          
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                           Libya.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Bardia prisoners now estimated 
                at 7,000, including 1,000 Germans.          
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          Malaya.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
The threat from Japanese 
      landings in the Perak and Bernam Rivers against our left rear 
      continues. Hore boats have appeared off Kuala Selangor, where 
      enemy fighter patrols machine gunned all (? movement). Other 
      boats have been seen heading further south. Our troops in the 
      Kampar area disengaged during the night 2nd/3rd without great 
      difficulty. Our withdrawal was closely followed up by armoured 
            vehicles which were engaged successfully.       
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          Russia.                           
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Finland and Leningrad Sectors. 
      No change. Central Sector. The Russian advances in the direction 
      of Rzhev and North West of Kaluga are now taking the form of 
      a wide converging movement on the Vyazma area. South West of 
      Moscow, the Germans have made considerable withdrawals and are 
      now on a line West of Malo Yaroslavets - North of Yukhnov-Suchinitchi-Belev. 
          Strong Russian attacks towards Kursk continue.    
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          Ukraine.                          
                                                            
                                                            
       SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier New"> The Russians have broken  %through 
      between Oboyan and Bielgorod. An attack on Kharkov appears probable 
      in the near future. No change in Donets Basin, or along River 
      Nius. Crimea. Sevastopol has withstood heavy attacks. Successful 
ombined operations have resulted in the capture of Kerch Pen
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
3 & middot; GENERAL. 
      On 3rd January, the Russian General Staff stated that 
 
      (A) German rearguards in Staritsa area were in disorganized flight 
      and that the Russians expected to reach Rzhev shortly.
 
 (B)The encirclement of the Germans in Mozhaisk area was pla