Copy No. 11 OPTEL No. 43 Information received up to 7 a.m., 20th December, 1941. (I) NAVAL Aircraft catapulted from a ship escorting a homeward convoy destroyed 2 Focke Wulf aircraft and damaged a third East of the AOORES yesterday. One of H.M. submarines attacked two large Northbound merchant ships escorted by 2 destroyers in the Gulf of TARANTO on the 13th and obtained one hit with torpedo. A small British merchant vessel in homeward convoy was torpedoed early on the 19th 400 miles West of CAPE ST. VINCENT and is reported sinking. A 9,500 ton tanker in coastal convoy and carrying petrol was set on fire and abandoned off Northwest WALES yesterday evening. (II) MILITARY LIBYA. The pursuit of the enemy continues. By the evening of the 18th 4th Indian Division had captured DERNA aerodrome but the enemy were still in possession of the town and its defences which were reported strong. Our armoured forces were about 12 miles southwest of MEKILI with a detachment 15 miles further west. MEKILI was still occupied by the enemy. During the morning of the 19th our troops occupied both DERNA and MEKILI and the pursuit of the retreating enemy westwards along the roads DERNA-BARCE and MEKILI-EL ABIAR was continued. So far the enemy retreat has been rapid and comparatively little opposition has been met. The number of prisoners has therefore not been great although much M.T. has been captured. There are signs of considerable enemy disorganization. In the frontier area South African forces continue the investment of enemy positions at BARDIA and near HALFAYA. The defences of BARDIA are reported to be exceedingly strong, our artillery is causing considerable damage. MALAYA. A further withdrawal of our forces in the northwest was tarried out without interference and they are now on a line 15 miles north of IPOH and are reorganizing. The bombing attack on the railway mentioned yesterday caused no damage. The civil and military evacu %ation of PENANG was successful. Three ships have reached PORT SWETTENHAM and SINGAPORE. Coast defence guns, petrol stores, the power house and aerodrome were destroyed. Total air raid casualties in PENANG are estimated at 600 killed. RUSSIA. The Russians claim to have occupied RUOA, the German withdrawal is continuing on the whole front from KALININ to TULA. |