Copy No. 14 OPTEL No. 32 Information received up to 7 a.m. 11th December, 1941. (I) NAVAL H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES and H.M.S. REPULSE were sunk by air attack at about 0650 on 10th, 140 miles North North East of SINGAPORE. One high level and 3 torpedo bombing attacks were made on H.M.S. PRINCE OF WALES and hits scored with one bomb probably a one thousand pounder and 4 or 5 torpedoes. One high level attack and one torpedo bombing attack were made on H.M.S. REPULSE and hits scored with one or more bombs and 2 or 3 torpedoes. Each torpedo bombing attack was carried out by 9 aircraft and all attacks were pushed well home and skillfully carried out. About 7 aircraft were shot down. On 5th, one of H.M. submarines in Southern approaches to Straits of MESSINA obtained one hit on a 4 thousand tons half laden merchant vessel in convoy escorted by torpedo boats. Owing to counter attack, the result could not be observed. A homeward bound convoy from CANADA was attacked on 10th about 300 miles West of IRELAND. 2 unknown ships were torpedoed but are still afloat. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. 9th. Our mobile forces had a successful day and continued to harass the enemy in a Westerly direction from EL ADEM. Junction between our forces in TOBRUK and those outside has now been firmly established and road from East has been opened. Our artillery shelled concentrations of M.T. Southwest of EL ADEM. Enemy gun positions covered by armoured cars were attacked and about 40 enemy tanks were engaged by our armoured forces. In coastal area our patrol are clearing up remnants of enemy and near the TRIGH CAPUOO0 they located and destroyed 38 enemy tanks in work shops. MERSA LUCCA was occupied by our troops in evening. 10th. Mopping up in EL ADEM area continues. Small pockets of enemy infantry and armoured cars possibly of Ariete Division were located in area North of BIRHAKEIM. MALAYA. At KELANTAN patrol tr %oops have been reorganized and are reported nearly intact. It is estimated that (?about) one enemy division has landed in this area. |