-2-
 
      ALEXANDRIA up to 15th December:
 
      German - 72 officers, 2,926 other ranks
 
      Italian - 237 officers, 4,869 other ranks.
 
      
 
 
HONG KONG
. Enemy shelling and mortar fire have caused 
      some damage to our beach defence pill boxes on North shore of 
      the Island and to one coast defence battery. Bombing has caused 
      some damage to food stores and water mains. Our artillery fire 
      has dispersed enemy troop concentrations and transport on the 
      mainland and silenced four enemy guns. On 17th, a further summons 
      to surrender was received. The Governor replied that he was not 
      prepared to receive any further communication on the subject.
 
      
 
 
MALAYA
. 17th. KEDAH. On right enemy attacked our detachments 
      in GRIK area (25 miles S.S.E. of KROH) in some strength. On left, 
      withdrawal from River MUDA is continuing. Our reserve formations 
      now on line of River KRIAN (20 miles to South).
 
      
 
 
PENANG.
 Withdrawal proceeding.
 
      
 
 
KALANTAN
. We now hold position on River NAL (25 miles 
      South of KOTA BHARU). Enemy broke off engagement after suffering 
      casualties. Elsewhere nothing to report. Enemy air activity negligible. 
      Anti-aircraft defences have shot down 13 enemy aircraft to date, 
      plus 5 probable.
 
      
 
 
PORTUGUESE TIMOR.
 The Netherlands East Indies Government 
      announce that on the morning of 17th December Portuguese Timor 
      was occupied by Dutch and Australian forces.
 
      
 
 
RUSSIA
. Nothing additional to official communiques.
 
      
 
 
(III) 
AIR OPERATIONS
 
      16th/17th. WILHELMSHAVEN (71 tons), OSTEND (35 tons), BREST (31 
      tons), and DUNKIRK were attacked in fair visibility. 13 aircraft 
      from R.C.A.F. squadrons took part in these raids.
 
      
 
 
17th. Our fighters destroyed a Junker 88 off KENT.
 
      
 
 
17th/18th. 137 aircraft despatched to BREST (121) HAVRE (14) 
      leaflets PARIS - ORLEANS (2). At BREST, attacked by 99 aircraft 
      a large explosion and fires were seen, though a smoke screen 
      hindered observation. One bomber missing. Another came dow %n in 
      the sea but the crew is safe.
 
      
 
 
LIBYA.
 16th. Our light bombers started a large fire 
      in dumps near BARDIA and attacked BENINA aerodrome. In the course 
      of continuous fighter patrols to the Southwest of GAOALA and 
      frequent sweeps between GAOALA and TMIMI only two enemy aircraft 
      were sighted, one of which was destroyed.