Copy No. 11
 
      
OPTEL No. 53
 
      Information received up to 7 a.m., 28th December, 1941.
 
      
 
 
(I) 
NAVAL
 
      A small Spanish merchant vessel has been intercepted in the Atlantic 
      and is being sent into GIBRALTAR. During an unsuccessful attack 
      by enemy aircraft upon an East-coast convoy yesterday evening, 
      one of the aircraft was shot down by gunfire from the escort 
      ships.
 
      
 
 
(II) 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA.
 On the evening of the 26th the main German Force, 
      with possibly some Italians, was in position around JEDABYA, 
      where it was being harassed by one of our Armoured Brigades. 
      The enemy artillery in this area is reported to include eight 
      105 mm guns, some 88 mm, and anti-tank guns, and possibly some 
      dug-in tanks. Our forces are closing in on JEDABAYA from the 
      North East and South. Although facilitating the withdrawal of 
      the Italians, the German stand at JEDABAYA may give us the opportunity 
      to get behind and destroy them. Wireless silence prevents us 
      knowing exact position of our outflanking force.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA
. The situation is materially unchanged, although 
      severe casualties are believed to have been inflicted upon the 
      enemy in local counter-attacks. Slight contact has been made 
      on the River PERAK, where the enemy is preparing bridges and 
      rafts.
 
      
 
 
RUSSIA. The Russians are advancing on a broad front West and 
      South West of TULA, and are also exerting heavy pressure on the 
      Germans east of KURSK and in the DONETS area.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      WESTERN FRONT. 27th. A total of 22 aircraft were despatched to 
      the Norwegian Coast to attack gun positions near STADLAND, and 
      aerodrome north east of BERGEN and shipping off EGERSUND. At 
      the aerodrome, many hits were made on the runways, a merchant 
      vessel was sunk off EGERSUND and near misses were scored on another. 
      Eight of our aircraft are missing. 27th/28th. 206 aircraft were 
      sent out - DUSSELDORF 132, BOULOGNE 34, BREST 29, a Dutch aerodrome 
      6, sea mining 5, seven are missing an %d one crashed on return. 
      Only ten aircraft operated against this country.
 
      MEDITERRANEAN. LIBYA. 26 Blenheims attacked mechanical transport 
      on the road west of JEDABAYA, and others from MALTA bombed two 
      1,500 ton merchant vessels in OOUARA Harbour, one of which blew 
      up. 26th/27th. Wellingtons