Copy No. 11
 
      OPTEL No. 50
 
      
 
 
Information received up to 7 a.m., 25th, December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I)
 NAVAL
 
      HONG KONG. One of H.M. Gun Boats was sunk by dive-bombing on 
      the 21st.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA. Our troops captured BENINA and REGIMA on the afternoon 
      of the 23rd and occupied BENGHAOI on the morning of the 24th. 
      On the evening of the 23rd 74th Indian Division occupied BARCE 
      after overcoming some resistance about five miles to the East. 
      Our operations in SOLUK area and the occupation of BENGHAOI seem 
      to have separated the German and Italian forces and little fight 
      is left in the latter. Further South on the afternoon of the 
      23rd a fairly large German force, after making a determined stand 
      at ANTELAT, was withdrawing South West having suffered much damage 
      and a heavy loss of vehicles. Strong columns have been directed 
      upon JEDABYA and steps taken to cut the road between JEDABYA 
      and EL AGHEILA.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA.
 24th. PERAK. No ground contact. Our forward 
      troops were dive bombed constantly during 23rd/24th and on 24th 
      bombing was haphazard and few casualties resulted. Other sectors 
      nothing to report.
 
      
 
 
SARAWAK
. Large enemy concentrations off SADONG and 
      landings being attempted. KUCHING aerodrome denied and all denial 
      schemes completed 24th.
 
      
 
 
HONG KONG.
 On the afternoon of the 24th fighting was 
      continuing with undiminished intensity along the same line as 
      previous night. A slight enemy penetration in the central sector 
      towards MOUNT CAMERON was being contained by our troops. Enemy 
      bombardment of our positions from aircraft mortars and artillery 
      of all calibres continues. Position substantially unchanged.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      23rd/24th. BREST. 72 tons of H.E. were dropped and bursts were 
      seen across the docks but the smoke screen prevented detailed 
      observation.
 
      
 
 
COLOGNE. 60 tons of H.E. and over 6,000 incendiaries were 
      dropped on the estimated position of the town ov %er which heavy 
      cloud conditions were met. 13 R.C.A.F. and 7 R.N.O.A.F. aircraft 
      took part in the night's operations. One New Oealand aircraft 
      crashed, one killed and five injured.
 
      
 
 
24th. The large tanker, attacked and probably hit by an Australian 
      Sunderland, was again picked up by a Sunderland and was steaming 
      at about 12