Copy No. 15
 
      
OPTEL No. 37
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 16th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      MEDITERRANEAN.
 A 6,000 ton Italian merchant vessel is beached 
      near CAPE METHONI (South West GREECE) after being torpedoed by 
      a British submarine. There are about 150 survivors from the British 
      cruiser sunk off ALEXANDRIA.
 
      
 
 
CHINA. A Dutch submarine sank one enemy merchant ship on the 
      12th and one oiler on the 13th off KOTA BHARU.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. 14th. Our troops attacked all along the line and by 11 
      a.m. had forced a gap in enemy centre. By 2.30 p.m. enemy were 
      still holding position to East of GAOALA BAY and astride main 
      road, and also further to South astride TRIGH EL ABD. In afternoon, 
      enemy counter attacked in latter area employing 21 tanks. Attack 
      continued until the evening but enemy failed to press attack 
      home. Three enemy tanks destroyed.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA.
 15th. In South KEDAH, enemy resumed his attack 
      at dawn and succeeded in isolating our left brigade. Touch has 
      not yet been restored in spite of counter attack. Our forces 
      operating in the KROH area have been reinforced by a further 
      two battalions and are at present holding their ground without 
      difficulty. Enemy's main objective appears to be to penetrate 
      between our two forces in this area. He is pressing home his 
      attacks with fanatical courage in spite of very heavy losses.
 
      
 
 
KELANTAN.
 No change.
 
      
 
 
BURMA
. A small reconnaissance patrol, operating in 
      the area of MESOD (170 miles East of RANGOON), was fired on by 
      Siamese Gendarmes.
 
      
 
 
HONG KONG
. The withdrawal from the mainland and to 
      the island was completed by morning 13th December. The three 
      6" coast defence guns on ST0NECUTTERS Island have been destroyed 
      by us and the garrison evacuated. Heavy and accurate Japanese 
      artillery fire continues against our defences in the Northern 
      part of the Island. The Japanese are concentrating ferry craft 
      on the KOWLOON % side, and it is thought they may soon attempt 
      a direct assault on the island.
 
      RUSSIA. The Russian forces are continuing their counter offensive. 
      They have captured REFREMOV (North West of YELETS) and are advancing 
      on OREL.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      15th/16th. 47 aircraft despatched to BREST 17, OSTEND 25, sea 
      mining 5. One bomber is missing.