OPTEL No. 16                        
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
Following is supplementary 
      resume of operational events covering period first to eighth 
                             January.                       
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            1.                              
                           NAVAL                            
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
The enemy succeeded in 
      pushing through a convoy of nine ships into TRIPOLI largely under 
      cover of bad weather and heavy escort. Two Dutch sub-marines 
      are overdue at SINAPORE and SOURABAYA respectively. There was 
      little activity by enemy submarines though it appears that several 
      are moving westward in the Atlantic and others are patrolling 
      in the AOORES area. Shipping losses were light but enemy mine 
      laying persists off the East Coast. Merchant shipping losses 
      during December reported to date were 262,847 tons which include 
      143,160 tons sunk in the Pacific Trade. During the week ending 
      7/1 886 ships were convoyed. Imports into the U.K. by ships in 
      convoy during the week ending 3/l were 648,000 tons which included 
      271,000 tons oil import so Some mines are reported to have been 
                       swept off SOURABAYA.                 
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            2.                              
                          MILITARY                          
                                                            
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
LIBYA. BARDIA was captured 
      by a force consisting mainly of South Africans. The higher direction 
      of the operation being in the hands of Major General Willoughby-Norrie. 
      In western CYRENAICA pressure was kept up against the enemy by 
      the comparatively small force which could be maintained in the 
      forward area. The enemy however succeeded in countering our attempt 
      to envelop his southern flank. Strenuous efforts are being made 
      to build up supply organization capable of maintaining a strong 
      force. As soon as the port of BENGHAOI can be fully used our 
      administrative situation in the foremost areas should be greatly 
                            relieved.                       
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                                                            
                          MALAYA.                           
                                                            
                                                            
       SIOE="-1" FACE="Courier Ne %w">The Japanese are pushing their 
      offensive strenuously on all fronts though not without considerable 
      losses. Reinforcements of one Indian Infantry Brigade have so 
      far arrived at SINAPORE. The Trans-Pacific Air reinforcement 
      route via HAWAII-CANTCN ISLAND-FIJI-NEW CALEDONIA-AUSTRALIA was 
                        opened on 28/ 12.                   
                                                            
 
                                                            
 
 
                                                            
                            3.                              
                       AIR OPERATIONS                       
                                                            
 
      WESTERN FRONT. BREST was bombed on five nights without any known 
      definite results being obtained against the German warships. 
      A total of 514 tons of H.E. and 24,000 incendiaries were dropped 
      by bomber command. Three bombers were lost during the week. It 
      is estimated that 15,000 tons of enemy shipping were damaged 
                         by our aircraft.