Copy No. 11
 
      
OPTEL No. 43
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 20th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      Aircraft catapulted from a ship escorting a homeward convoy destroyed 
      2 Focke Wulf aircraft and damaged a third East of the AOORES 
      yesterday. One of H.M. submarines attacked two large Northbound 
      merchant ships escorted by 2 destroyers in the Gulf of TARANTO 
      on the 13th and obtained one hit with torpedo. A small British 
      merchant vessel in homeward convoy was torpedoed early on the 
      19th 400 miles West of CAPE ST. VINCENT and is reported sinking. 
      A 9,500 ton tanker in coastal convoy and carrying petrol was 
      set on fire and abandoned off Northwest WALES yesterday evening.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. The pursuit of the enemy continues. By the evening of 
      the 18th 4th Indian Division had captured DERNA aerodrome but 
      the enemy were still in possession of the town and its defences 
      which were reported strong. Our armoured forces were about 12 
      miles southwest of MEKILI with a detachment 15 miles further 
      west. MEKILI was still occupied by the enemy. During the morning 
      of the 19th our troops occupied both DERNA and MEKILI and the 
      pursuit of the retreating enemy westwards along the roads DERNA-BARCE 
      and MEKILI-EL ABIAR was continued. So far the enemy retreat has 
      been rapid and comparatively little opposition has been met. 
      The number of prisoners has therefore not been great although 
      much M.T. has been captured. There are signs of considerable 
      enemy disorganization. In the frontier area South African forces 
      continue the investment of enemy positions at BARDIA and near 
      HALFAYA. The defences of BARDIA are reported to be exceedingly 
      strong, our artillery is causing considerable damage.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA.
 A further withdrawal of our forces in the northwest 
      was tarried out without interference and they are now on a line 
      15 miles north of IPOH and are reorganizing. The bombing attack 
      on the railway mentioned yesterday caused no damage. The civil 
      and military evacu %ation of PENANG was successful. Three ships 
      have reached PORT SWETTENHAM and SINGAPORE. Coast defence guns, 
      petrol stores, the power house and aerodrome were destroyed. 
      Total air raid casualties in PENANG are estimated at 600 killed.
 
      
 
 
RUSSIA.
 The Russians claim to have occupied RUOA, the 
      German withdrawal is continuing on the whole front from KALININ 
      to TULA.