Telegram from London dated November 23rd, 1941 NAVAL Please regard paragraph 3 of summary of November 22nd as most secret. Night of November 21st-22nd naval aircraft and Wellington off Cape Spartivente attacked convoy of 5 merchant ships, 1 cruiser, five destroyers (probably the Force attacked by Utmost on November 21st when one cruiser was probably sunk). Cruiser and one merchant vessel estimated 6000 tons believed each hit by one torpedo. On November 22nd shadowing aircraft considered the speed of the convoy was reduced probably by bombs damage several ships having been straddled during the night attack. An explosion observed in one merchant ship by shadower may have been caused by submarine attack. ROYAL AIR FORCE. United Kingdom . Day November 22nd, four squadrons of fighters carried out offensive patrols over Northern France. Six enemy Fighters destroyed, one probably destroyed, seven damaged. Night of November 22nd, 23rd, no operations owing to adverse weather Libya . Now claimed enemy losses numerically were 30 destroyed not 24 as previously reported. Night of November 20th-21st, 32 Wellington attacked El Gazala landing grounds, which were again attacked following day by 9 Marylands and Fortresses. Day November 21st: 16 Blenheims attacked about 200 tanks and motor transport at Bir Hachem. Frequent fighter sweeps over battle area. Beaufort fighters and Hurricanes successfully attacked aircraft on the ground. Enemy losses during day 5 shot down, one probably destroyed, one damaged, further 16 destroyed or damaged on the ground. |