OPTEL No. 22. Begins: - (Information received up to 0700 6th December). (i) NAVAL. 1 of H.M. Armed Boarding Vessels has been damaged or sunk between Alexandria and Tobruk. Several survivors have been rescued. 33 survivors from a medium sized British Merchant Vessel were landed at Madeira on 4th. The ship was in a Southbound Atlantic convoy and was torpedoed on 30th November South South East of Azores. 17 of crew are missing. (ii) MILITARY. Libya. 4th. On morning of 4th enemy attacked El Duda from West and South East and from area of Bir El Hamed and were repulsed with heavy casualties. This attack was renewed in the afternoon by enemy infantry supported by a heavy bombardment and enemy succeeded in gaining a footing. Counter attack, supported by "I" tanks, retook some of the ground and a night operation, staged to recover 15 of our (? disabled) tanks, restored the whole position. Same afternoon one of our armoured brigades and an Indian brigade in an attack on El Gobi destroyed 15 tanks of Ariete Division and 150 M.T.: 400 Italian prisoners, 2 medium batteries and 5 anti tank guns were captured. 55000 gallons of enemy fuel was destroyed and 55 supply lorries and much ammunition taken. An enemy column of 30 tanks and 300 M.T. probably of 15th German Armoured Division, moving Eastwards along Trigh-Capuzzo was engaged by 1 of our mobile columns. Further report of New Oealand action West of Menastir gives 100 Germans killed, 100 prisoners, mostly Italian, taken and 2 tanks knocked out. Our casualties were 9 wounded. Total prisoners in Tobruk are now 53 officers and about 2,500 other ranks, approximately 40 percent Germans. Indian troops in their recent operations in Sidi Omar area captured 59 guns of all types. Russia. Moscow Sector. German forces have made a slight local advance near Klin. Central Sector. Between Tula and Kursk the Germans have made som %e progress towards Yelets. |