-2-
 
      freedom from one front to another. The chief factors influencing 
      Japanese strategy at present appear to be (A) time, (B) the attitude 
      of RUSSIA. JAPAN must obtain quick results in view of her difficult 
      economic situation and the inevitability of defeat, if the UNITED 
      STATES and ourselves are given time in which to build up our 
      strength against her. She is also anxious not to start another 
      front in the North, whilst fighting is still in progress on the 
      Southern and CHINA front. It therefore appears that after the 
      initial phases of the war are over, the position of JAPAN, who 
      has now been at war for over four years in CHINA, will become 
      precarious if operations are opened on her Northern front, and 
      if there is sufficient time for the UNITED STATES and ourselves 
      to strengthen our military position in the FAR EAST.
 
      
 
 
BURMA.
 C. in C. INDIA included BURMA in his Command 
      as from 15th December.
 
      
 
 
RUSSIA.
 The Germans in their retreat are suffering 
      heavy casualties and loss of equipment and it is clear that in 
      some sectors they are being severely harassed and prevented from 
      withdrawing according to plan. Particularly Northwest of MOSCOW, 
      where they have lost KALININ and in the TULA sector, where they 
      had to fall back 60 miles. In the South they still hold TAGANROG 
      and have not retired West of the River MIUS. There is no evidence 
      that any divisions have yet been pulled out for refitting.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      UNITED KINGDOM
. A slight improvement in the weather enabled 
      our night bombing to be resumed on a fairly heavy scale. BREST 
      was attacked on six nights by a total of 167 aircraft which dropped 
      277 tons of H.E. Although intense darkness and efficient smoke 
      screens prevented accurate bombing results appeared hopeful. 
      It is estimated that about 13,000 tons of enemy shipping were 
      sunk or damaged by our aircraft.
 
      
 
 
MEDITERRANEAN
. In spite of sandstorms and inferior 
      weather conditions the retreating enemy was given no respite. 
      By % day, our light bombers and fighters helped our ground operations 
      by directing frequent and intense attacks chiefly upon M.T. concentrated 
      and retiring on roads and on aerodromes. Since the enemy had 
      lost at least six forward aerodromes, there was a certain amount 
      of congestion on those in the BENGHAOI area. Full advantage was 
      taken of this situation by our bombers and fighter-bombers. Transport 
      aircraft flying between CRETE and DERNA to relieve the difficult 
      sea route, were also the object of special attack. Heavy night-bombing 
      raids were directed upon the main ports used by the enemy both 
      in AFRICA and Southern ITALY. Our aircraft sank or damaged about 
      15,000