OPTEL No. 42
 
      
Information received up to 7 a.m., 4th February, 1942.
 
      
 
 
1. 
NAVAL
 
      
One of H.M. submarines attacked a convoy of three merchant 
      vessels escorted by three 
 
      destroyers south of MESSINA. A ship of 3,500 tons was hit and 
      probably sunk. A Swedish 15,000 
 
      ton vessel was torpedoed on the 3rd off CAPE HATTERAS, and a 
      small British merchant ship was 
 
      torpedoed off HALIFAX on the 4th. No further details.
 
      
 
 
2. 
MILITARY
 
      LIBYA
. The withdrawal of our forces pivoting on MEKILI continued 
      during the night 2nd/3rd and 
 
      our line now runs northeast to south west from TMIMI in direction 
      of TENGEDER. There is no 
 
      sign that this withdrawal has been followed up and it would appear 
      that the enemy are still in 
 
      the MSUS area and east of CYRENE. Our mobile columns and fighting 
      patrols are acting west and 
 
      southwest of MEKILI. Air reported 2nd. Area MSUS - EL ABIAR and 
      all western CYRENAICA water-
 
      logged. A South African detachment has returned from a raid near 
      BUERAT EL HSUN. 21 enemy 
 
      mechanical transport, including two largest type tank lorries 
      with trailer, were destroyed, 
 
      communications were cut and some casualties inflicted. No publicity 
      given.
 
      
 
 
3. 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      LIBYA
. 1st. 4 Beaufighters attacked mechanical transport 
      and petrol lorries in the SIRTE area. 
 
      Blenheims also bombed mechanical transport west of BUERAT EL 
      HSUN, no large convoys were seen. 
 
      Fighters patrolled over our troops but no enemy aircraft were 
      seen.
 
      lst/2nd. Four Wellingtons attacked mechanical transport in the 
      area south west of JEDABYA.
 
      
 
 
MEDITERRANEAN
. 2nd/3rd. Four Naval aircraft registered 
      one and possibly two hits on a merchant 
 
      vessel. Five Wellingtons attacked NAPLES and hits were seen on 
      the docks, railway marshalling 
 
      yards and the repair base. Another Wellington hit the quay at 
      PALERMO with a four thousand 
 
      pound bo %mb. Hurricanes patrolled over Sicilian aerodromes and 
      destroyed one bomber on the 
 
      ground.
 
      
 
 
MALTA
. 2nd/3rd. 3rd. A total of 30 aircraft attacked. 
      Serious damage to the slipway and to a 
 
      Sunderland was caused at KALAFRANA. One Junkers 88 was probably 
      destroyed by anti-aircraft 
 
      fire.