Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 28 Following is supplementary resume of operational events covering period November 27th - 4th December. (I) NAVAL E-boats were active off East Coast and our M.T.E's and Motor Gun Boats on 3 nights attacked E-B oats and Armed Escort of Merchant ships in Straits of Dover with inconclusive results. Extensive sea and air searches have failed to locate any survivors of H.M.A.S. SYDNEY. There was no submarine activity on North Atlantic convoy routes and U-Boats are now concentrated in an area East and West of Gibraltar. At least four are operating in South Atlantic. Our shipping losses though somewhat heavier than of late were moderate. A report has recently been received that two medium sized British merchant vessels on passage on Government service from MALTA to GIBRALTAR were sunk by aircraft off TUNISIA on November 14th and 15th and that French naval units picked up survivors. TRADE. During the week ending December 3rd 972 ships were convoyed. Imports into U.K. during week ending November 29th were one million two thousand tons which includes 358,779 tankers imports. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. The enemy was evidently surprised by our preliminary move and General Rommel's armoured forces were brought to battle and a great part of them destroyed. On other hand the fight has been bitter and casualties heavy and enemy was able to cut TOBRUK corridor and reconcentrate those parts of two German armoured divisions which survived first 14 days of campaign. The opposing forces have now fallen apart without a decision being reached both forces having fought themselves temporarily to a standstill. Meanwhile our patrol and mobile columns are constantly harassing and inflicting losses upon enemy prier to next phase of operations. RUSSIA. The situation in MOSCOW sector still gives cause for anxiety. The Germans have gained ground at three points (a) at KLIN, (b) from West of city, (c) East of TULA. The last named of these gains is the most serious for not only has it cut KASHIRA railway (though not the more important KOLOMNA-RYAOAN railway further North East) but also it forms an advanced pincer towards |