Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 56 Following is supplementary resume of operational events covering the period 18th to 25th December, 1941. (I) NAVAL Our operations against U-boats in the ATLANTIC, West of GIBRALTAR and in the Eastern Mediterranean have been conspicuously successful. H.M. Aircraft carriers ILLUSTRIOUS and FORMIDABLE arrived in home waters after undergoing repairs in the UNITED STATES. The sixteenth Canadian Troop Convoy also arrived. Heavy air attacks on the German ships at BREST appear to have been unlucky and damage probably only superficial. At ARCHANGEL the ice situation is becoming serious, but more extensive use of MURMANSK can improve import conditions. "Hunt" class destroyers and anti-submarine craft escorted convoys which have been running regularly to TOBRUK and a night patrol by Greek destroyers has been maintained off BARDIA and SOLLUM. Four or five ships of about five thousand tons are known to have made the crossing from ITALY to LIBYA during the week. A group of U-boats was operating on the convoy route northwards from GIBRALTAR in co-operation with Focke Wulf aircraft, and it is probable that German submarines may be moving towards the Western Atlantic. There has been no indication recently of any operating in the Atlantic south of 30 degrees North. Prisoners state that some refuelled from merchant ships lying in VIGO about the middle of December. Several are now operating in the MEDITERRANEAN, of which four or five were near ALEXANDRIA during the early part of the week. Shipping losses were considerably higher than of late, largely due to enemy mine-laying off the East Coast. TRADE. During the week ending twenty-fourth 949 ships were convoyed. Imports into the United Kingdom during the week ending 20th amounted to 890,000 tons, including 290,804 tanker imports. November non-tanker imports were - for Ministry of Food, 954,400 tons; Ministry of Supply, 1,099,500 tons. (II) MILITARY % LIBYA . The enemy, after failing to hold the DERNA-MEKILI Line, attempted to make a stand East of BENGHAOI to cover the evacuation of that Port, but later withdrew Southwards. General Rommel's two-armoured divisions, comprising now only some 40 to 50 tanks, are in the JEDABYA area, and our object is to bring them to battle before they can escape to the West. Our pursuit is, however, being much hampered by the rain and mud on our supply routes. The enemy is suffering from shortage of transport and mechanical repair difficulties. The future of the |