OPTEL 6 28 November, 1941. (I) MILITARY Libya . The enemy still holds area Northwest of EL DUDA. The enemy raiding column appears to have collected some German garrisons of HALFAYA and SIDI 0MAR and was recalled by German headquarters on morning of 27th. It was intercepted by our armoured forces as reported in my 0PTEL No. 5. ETHIOPIA. Deserters report that after our forces had attacked near GONDAR the Officer commanding Italian Reserve Brigade ordered a counter attack which his troops refused to carry out. In West, patriots have cut road CHELGA-AOOOO and S.A.A.F. aircraft yesterday attacked AOOO0 aerodrome and bombed forts and trenches in this area. (II) AIR OPERATIONS 26/27. 87 tons of H.E. and 11,000 incendiaries were dropped on EMDEN, Thick clouds prevented observation, 13 tons of bombs were dropped on OSTEND where bursts were seen in docks. 27th. Beauforts attacked a l,500 ton merchant vessel off THE HAGUE and left it listing heavily. Hurricane bombers sank a 2,500 ton vessel and an anti-aircraft ship off Normandy and set a second anti-aircraft ship on fire. 2 M.E. 109's were shot down by escorting Spitfires. We lost 3 Hurricane bombers in an attack on shipping in BOULOGNE harbour. 27th/28th. 98 aircraft were sent out: 86 of them including 11 heavy to DUSSELDORF, 1 is missing and 2 crashed: 3 members of the crew killed. LIBYA. 26th. A total of 11 squadrons of Blenheims and Mary-lands resumed attacks on enemy tanks, armoured vehicles and M/T. Near SIDI-OMAR and EL-ADEM many fires were started among transport vehicles while at EL DUDA a column of armoured vehicles was partially destroyed and completely dispersed. 27th. 4 Malta Blenheims scored hits on barracks near TRIPOLI aerodrome. Hurricanes in a fight with 12 M.E. 109's over EL-ADEM destroyed 2 and damaged 2. 4 Hurricanes are missing. |