-2- RUSSIA . The German General Staff having decided to try to stabilise their Russian front, the danger which threatened MOSCOW is probably removed at least till the Spring. The German troops are on the defensive along most of the line and are even under such pressure in some sectors that the with-drawl of divisions to refit may not be easy. In the southern sector, it is of particular importance for the Germans to resume their advance, but weeks and possibly months might now elapse before they recapture ROSTOV with corresponding postponement of their time-table for CAUCASIA. Finally, the air situation is encouraging, for it appears that the Russian Air Force at present holds superiority on the most of the front, particularly in the MOSCOW sector. JAPAN . It appears probable that the primary Japanese objectives are SINGAPORE and the PHILIPPINES. Operations against HONG KONG and the Pacific Islands are subsiduary to these principal aims, the threat to BURMA and BORNEO being intended to develop subsequently. At HONG KONG, our troops have now acted on their standing orders to evacuate the Mainland when attacked in overwhelming strength. Their retirement has been successful in so far as they have fought off enemy attempts to interfere with its orderly execution. Guerilla activity by the Chinese may develop later in the rear of the Japanese attacking force. In MALAYA, our naval and air losses have compelled our land forces to face a situation which had not been contemplated, in as much as they must now bear the brunt of an attack by Japanese forces enjoying sea and air superiority, enabling them to reinforce with little British interference. The demolition of railway bridges, etc., which our troops are effecting as they retire should impede the enemy's advance. Further north, the occupation of SIAM gives the enemy an important base for operations against either MALAYA or BURMA, and even against our sea communications in the BAY OF BENGAL. The Japanese have some ten divisio %ns already in MALAYA. SIAM and Southern INDO-CHINA and a further 12 or so, including most of the seven in JAPAN, might be made available immediately or at short notice for other operations. The limiting factor, however, would be shipping and air support. WESTERN PACIFIC. The phosphate plants in OCEAN and NAURU Islands have been demolished according to previously prepared plans. BURMA. The second flight of an Indian infantry brigade has left INDIA for RANGOON. HUNGARY . The number of Hungarian troops on the Russian front has been reduced to about 30,000. RUMANIA. The Rumanian contingent in RUSSIA, though being reduced, still amounts to the equivalent of about two divisions in action in the CRIMEA. |