- 2 -
 
      encirclement of MOSCOW itself. No thaw has come to check advance 
      though heavy snow may form into deep drifts which would hamper 
      tank movements. Russian resistance continues stubbornly and German 
      progress consequently slow. In ROSTOV sector the Russian counter 
      attack towards TAGANROG is of great importance in as much as 
      it retards by at least three weeks and possibly much longer the 
      German time table for a subsequent move into CAUCASIA.
 
      YUGO SLAVIA. The revolt is continuing.
 
      
 
 
ROUMANIA
. The rise in level of the lower DANUBE owing 
      to heavy rainfall indicates that river is unlikely to freeze 
      early this winter.
 
      
 
 
BALKAN STATES.
 It is estimated that total number of 
      German divisions in BALKANS is still 14 although a certain amount 
      of reshuffling of units has been and still is taking place.
 
      
 
 
SPAIN.
 Battle casualties and sickness have reduced 
      Spanish division in RUSSIA from about 20,000 to less than 14,000. 
      The division is believed to be now employed on line of communication 
      duty in Southern sector.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA.
 2 Field Regiments armed with 25 pounders have 
      arrived. Volunteer Force were mobilized on 1st December.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM.
 Bad weather prevailed throughout most 
      of week; night bombing operations were only possible on two occasions. 
      Attacks were made upon HAMBURG, EMDEM and DUSSELDORF, a total 
      of 396 tons of H.E. and nearly 25,000 incendiaries being dropped.
 
      
 
 
In spite of unfavourable weather aircraft of Coastal and Fighter 
      Commands continued to harass enemy shipping both in daylight 
      and by night; it is estimated that 8,500 tons were sunk and 28,000 
      tons damaged.
 
      
 
 
German Air Force activity was almost entirely directed against 
      our shipping with little success. From character of German Air 
      Force operations during past few weeks it appears that policy 
      of saving their long range bombing force on Western Front is 
      still being vigorously pursued.
 
      
CENTRAL MEDITERRANEAN.
 A 10,000 ton laden tanker was 
      seriously damaged by bombs and subsequently sunk by our Naval 
      forces; in addition it is estimated that 11,000 tons of enemy 
      shipping was sunk or damaged by our aircraft.
 
      LIBYA. Our aircraft dominates the battle area and provides close 
      support for our ground forces in spite of rain and low cloud 
      conditions. Operations were mainly directed against enemy's supply 
      system over a wide area.
 
      
 
 
The German Air Force failed to maintain a high level of activity 
      probably due to supply difficulties, our successful attack on 
      their aerodromes,