Copy No. 11
 
      OPTEL No. 34
 
      Information received to 7 a.m., 13 December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      Early this morning a British destroyer reported that, in company 
      with other British destroyers, she torpedoed trio Italian cruisers 
      off CAPE BON, TUNYISIA. One blew up, the other was left on fire 
      from stem to stern. They also damaged a destroyer by gunfire 
      and sank an E-boat. No damage or casualties to our ships. On 
      24th November a British submarine torpedoed a merchant ship and 
      salvage ship in CANDIA Harbour. American Naval aircraft claim 
      to have damaged a Japanese battleship of the Kongo Class off 
      the coast of LUOON in addition to the HARUNA. A 5,000 ton British 
      merchant vessel in Northbound coastal convoy was sunk by mine 
      off the HUMBER on the morning of the 12th.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      
 
 
LIBYA.
 11th. Our advance westward continued. In the 
      coastal area, GAOALA is held by the enemy in some strength, although 
      air reconnaissance indicates considerable movement of mechanical 
      transport west and north-west from this area. It is being marked 
      by our troops who have advanced parallel to the coast and were 
      reported within five miles of the town. They have captured about 
      500 German and Italian prisoners. About ten miles south of GAOALA, 
      the enemy launched an attack with 35 tanks during the day and 
      infantry also were opposing our troops. The results of these 
      engagements are not yet known. Further south our armoured forces 
      are carrying out a wide encircling movement directed on DERNA, 
      EL GUBBA and MEKILI. Other armoured columns were directed on 
      enemy troops in the area south of GAOALA on the EL ADEM-MEKILI 
      Road, where our infantry are also in contact with the enemy. 
      In the area North-West of GAOALA, our support group scattered 
      a column of German mechanical transport and is reported to have 
      caused great destruction and confusion amongst enemy columns. 
      Operations throughout were hampered by sandstorms.
 
      
 
 
FAR EAST
 
      MALAYA.
 KELANTAN Area. No %thing to report. KEDAH Area. Some 
      withdrawal by our forces has taken place in this area to a line 
      just north of ALOR STAR. Our troops operating north of KROH were 
      forced back towards the frontier by unexpectedly strong forces, 
      including tanks and light artillery. An enemy prisoner stated 
      that many men had inflatable rubber belts enabling them to cross 
      rivers. Men landed without rations and were helped by fifth columnists. 
      The enemy are using infantry and tanks in close co-operation.