1st December, 1941. OPTEL NO. 8. (Information received up to 0700/29 November, 1941). (i) NAVAL . On 22nd, a merchant raider, believed to be German GOLDENFILS (7,800 tons) was sunk by a British Cruiser about 800 miles south west of Freetown. It is confirmed that a British Cruiser sank German Raider KORMORANT (believed about 10,000 tons) from which some German survivors were rescued. A British submarine attacked an enemy destroyer at anchor in Navarino south west Greece probably obtaining 2 hits. Early this morning E-boats attacked a convoy North of Cromer: it is believed ONE and possibly 2 vessels were torpedoed. (ii) MILITARY. LIBYA. 27th. Pockets of enemy remaining in SIDIOMAR area are making communications difficult. The enemy column reported moving south of GAMBUT has been engaged by our armoured forces which destroyed 14 enemy tanks and much mechanical transport. Enemy was prevented from moving west and scattered north west and south west. The occupants of several vehicles surrendered in an exhausted condition. The battle was still in progress on the morning of 28th and some 50 tanks possibly including some dummies driven south east were being chased by our armoured forces. -1- |