Telegram from London of 
 
      January 23rd 1941.
 
      
 
 
Naval.
 
      1. During air raids on Malta on January 19th M/T ship Essex received 
      extensive damage to super structure and engine room. Casualties 
      15 killed 23 wounded.
 
      
 
 
2. A damaged Italian U boat reported arrived Las Palmas, Canary 
      Islands.
 
      
 
 
3. "Vichy" French merchant vessel with cargo of 
      petrol seized being sent to Cape Town under armed guard.
 
      
 
 
4. Convoy of 24 ships arrived in home waters from Canada including 
      five tankers and eight cargoes of steel and pig iron.
 
      
Military.
 
      
 
 
5. Sudan. Our leading troops are now 20 miles across the frontier 
      of Erythrea.
 
      
 
 
Royal Air Force.
 
      
 
 
6. 21st and 21st/22nd. All operations cancelled owing to weather.
 
      
 
 
7. Libya. On the night of the 19th/2Oth our aircraft dropped 
      over 6 tons of bombs on military targets in Tobruk.
 
      
 
 
8. 
Sicily.
 On the same night over lO tons of H.E. and 
      2,000 incendiaries were dropped on aerodrome of Catania where 
      7 grounded aircraft were seen to catch fire. One heavy bomber 
      also attacked Brindisi railway station.