Copy No. 11
 
      
OPTEL No. 56
 
      
 
 
Following is supplementary resume of operational events covering 
      the period 18th to 25th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      Our operations against U-boats in the ATLANTIC, West of GIBRALTAR 
      and in the Eastern Mediterranean have been conspicuously successful. 
      H.M. Aircraft carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and FORMIDABLE arrived in 
      home waters after undergoing repairs in the UNITED STATES. The 
      sixteenth Canadian Troop Convoy also arrived. Heavy air attacks 
      on the German ships at BREST appear to have been unlucky and 
      damage probably only superficial. At ARCHANGEL the ice situation 
      is becoming serious, but more extensive use of MURMANSK can improve 
      import conditions. "Hunt" class destroyers and anti-submarine 
      craft escorted convoys which have been running regularly to TOBRUK 
      and a night patrol by Greek destroyers has been maintained off 
      BARDIA and SOLLUM. Four or five ships of about five thousand 
      tons are known to have made the crossing from ITALY to LIBYA 
      during the week. A group of U-boats was operating on the convoy 
      route northwards from GIBRALTAR in co-operation with Focke Wulf 
      aircraft, and it is probable that German submarines may be moving 
      towards the Western Atlantic. There has been no indication recently 
      of any operating in the Atlantic south of 30 degrees North. Prisoners 
      state that some refuelled from merchant ships lying in VIGO about 
      the middle of December. Several are now operating in the MEDITERRANEAN, 
      of which four or five were near ALEXANDRIA during the early part 
      of the week. Shipping losses were considerably higher than of 
      late, largely due to enemy mine-laying off the East Coast.
 
      
 
 
TRADE.
 During the week ending twenty-fourth 949 ships 
      were convoyed. Imports into the United Kingdom during the week 
      ending 20th amounted to 890,000 tons, including 290,804 tanker 
      imports. November non-tanker imports were - for Ministry of Food, 
      954,400 tons; Ministry of Supply, 1,099,500 tons.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
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LIBYA
. The enemy, after failing to hold the DERNA-MEKILI 
      Line, attempted to make a stand East of BENGHAOI to cover the 
      evacuation of that Port, but later withdrew Southwards. General 
      Rommel's two-armoured divisions, comprising now only some 40 
      to 50 tanks, are in the JEDABYA area, and our object is to bring 
      them to battle before they can escape to the West. Our pursuit 
      is, however, being much hampered by the rain and mud on our supply 
      routes. The enemy is suffering from shortage of transport and 
      mechanical repair difficulties. The future of the