Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 55 Information received up to 7 a.m., 30th December, 1941. (I) MILITARY LIBYA. The bulk of the enemy forces are still in position in the JEDABYA area with their armoured forces covering the southern flank. Continued pressure had not yet succeeded in dislodging them. On the 28th a force of approximately 60 enemy tanks supported by artillery attacked one of our armoured brigades. After six hours fighting our troops withdrew eastwards. An unconfirmed report states that the enemy suffered 30 tank casualties. Our troops at BENGHAOI state there are reliable reports that about 5,000 of our prisoners have been evacuated by sea to GREECE. RUSSIA. On the MOSCOW front the Russians are continuing their advance southwest of KALININ. In the CRIMEA, the Germans and Roumanians are continuing to attack SEVASTOPOL and are offering strong resistance to Russian attempts to land at KERCH. MALAYA. South of IPOH our forward troops have made a steady withdrawal in face of enemy forces estimated at one division Supported by artillery and tanks. SARAWAK. The Japanese have occupied KUCHING. According to Dutch sources part of our garrison has reached Dutch BORNEO. (II) AIR OPERATIONS WESTERN FRONT. 28th/29th. WILHELMSHAVEN. No cloud, visibility excellent, town and docks clearly seen. 77 tons H.E. and 6,500 incendiaries dropped. Bursts and fires seen in the centre of the town, near the railway station and across the docks. Only one aircraft out of 77 on this objective did not return. HULS. 65 aircraft dropped 55 tons of H.E. and 3,000 incendiaries. Visibility good, target clearly identified, direct hits obtained and photographs taken. Bursts followed by fires and one large explosion were seen on various parts of the objective. EMDEN. 54 tons of H.E. including five 4,000 pounders, and 2,000 incendiaries dropped. Visibility excellent and slight ground snow helped identification. S %everal bursts were seen chiefly in the docks area. On the whole a very satisfactory night and the best for some weeks. 18 R.C.A.F. and 7 R.A.A.F. aircraft took part. One Canadian aircraft missing. |