Copy No. 11 OPTEL (Unnumbered) Information received up to 7 a.m., 21st December, 1941. (I) NAVAL 20th Noon. Air reconnaissance showed PRINCE EUGEN in dry dock at BREST. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. 20th. At 10.30 a.m. general situation was that the continued pressure of our forward columns was keeping the enemy on the run. The majority of the remaining German Forces appear to be in the SOLUK area, while the remnants of the Italian Divisions are still North East of BENGHAOI and much disorganized. Our mobile columns which have reached EL KARRUBA are directed one on REGIMA and BENGHAOI and the other on MSUS and SCELEIDIMA. Reports so far received indicate that twelve enemy tanks were destroyed on the 19th, eight new Italian tanks were abandoned at MEKILI. Reconnaissance of TRIPOLI (L) on 19th showed that two supply ships of about six thousand and five thousand tons had arrived. A third ship of similar size was approaching the port under escort. It has now been reported that our Patrols with parachute troops dropped early in the operations, succeeded in destroying 22 enemy aircraft together with bomb and petrol stores on a landing ground thirty miles West of SIRTE. MALAYA. On the morning of the 21st enemy reached the (?) river at MAHANG. There was no contact West of this place. Our troops are holding the line of the KURAU River and Southern end of CHENDERCH LAKE. In an action near LENGGONG GRIK road on the 19th, 60 enemy dead were counted, our casualties were small. Nothing to report from KELANTAN, KUANTAN and JOHORE areas. A small detachment of British troops from MIRI arrived at SINGAPORE on 21st. HONG KONG. The latest report at 6.00 p.m. local time 19th stated that the enemy had over run the North West corner of the Island. RUSSIA. The Russians are maintaining heavy pressure on the MOSCOW front. Particularly in the area North West of TULA. The Germans are continuing their attack on SEVASTOPOL. (III) AIR OPERATIONS 20th. One Hudson bombed a cargo vessel of 3,000 tons off the Norwegian coast, the ship appeared to be hit. |